BLIND DATE
Jets should court QB mystery man Osweiler
THE Jets’ search for a quarterback has taken on the feel of a season of “The Bachelor.” Will they choose Jay Cutler for a one-on-one date? Will Josh McCown get a rose? Is Chase Daniel a new, surprise contestant?
And like those on “The Bachelor,” each contestant for the Jets’ starting quarterback job has plenty of flaws. People who look for a partner on a TV show tend to have warts, and so do quarterbacks available in March.
The most intriguing option for the Jets might be a quarterback who is not yet a free agent, but is expected to become one soon: Brock Osweiler.
The Browns plucked Osweiler from the Texans last week in a blockbuster trade. Cleveland now is shopping Osweiler, trying to get some picks for him, but all indications are the Browns will cut him if they don’t find a taker.
It would make no sense for the Jets to give up an asset in a trade for Osweiler, but signing him once he is free makes total sense.
Osweiler, 26, is not a perfect option (there are none), just the best one for the Jets. For one thing, they will be able to get him cheaply. The Browns owe him $16 million as part of the four-year, $72 million monster contract he signed with the Texans last year. Because of offset language in the contract, Osweiler won’t make more money than that this year. The Browns will get relief for whatever another team pays him, but ultimately, Osweiler will make $16 million. So the Jets could pay him $1 million and let the Browns pick up the rest of the tab for 2017. That is a cheaper option than Cutler, in whom the Jets are interested, but only at the right price.
Osweiler also makes sense from a strategic standpoint. Even though they won’t say the word, the Jets clearly are rebuilding. The 2017 season is more about finding out who is a keeper for 2018 and beyond than trying to win the Super Bowl.
Everyone knows what guys like Cutler and McCown are capable of. We have enough of a sample size. Despite flopping in Houston last year, Osweiler remains an unknown. He still has upside. Remember, this is a guy John Elway drafted and reportedly offered $16 million per year over three years last year before Houston swooped in. He went 5-2 as a starter with Denver in 2015 and beat the undefeated Patriots in overtime.
There could be concerns about what happened in Houston. A report surfaced this week Osweiler balked at being put into the game in Week 17 and had an argument with Texans coach Bill O’Brien.
It should not be hard for Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan to investigate. He spent 15 years in Houston before coming to the Jets and worked with O’Brien in 2014.
Even with whatever transpired in Houston, though, this would not be a long-term commitment. The Jets just need someone who can provide competition at the position for Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, with the hope an answer can be found for beyond 2017. If Osweiler falls on his face, they can move on after this year. If he shows potential, they can keep him around as part of the rebuilding process.
Every decision made about 2017 for the Jets should be with an eye on 2018. Forget a 33-yearold Jay Cutler or a 37-year-old Josh McCown. The Jets need to go young and cheap. Osweiler fits the description.
Give him a rose, Maccagnan.