Jets bringing back QB Josh McCown
NEWYORK » out any words — in a Jets uniform pumping both fists during a game.
His future with the Jets — and in the NFL — was uncertain after he broke his left hand at Denver on Dec. 10 and finished the season on injured reserve. After the season, he said he wanted to continue playing, but the Jets emerged over as possible contenders in the sweepstakes for Cousins.
“I enjoyed my season there this year,” McCown said during an interview with NFL Network in January. “More than anything, just the people in the organization. It’s a special place from the ownership down. I enjoyed my time with coach ( Todd) Bowles. A lot of decisions have to be made within the next few months, but I loved being there, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
With McCown coming back, the Jets aren’t neces- sarily set now at the quarterback position — although Bowles traditionally opens the offseason program with the incumbent penciled in at No. 1 on the depth chart.
New York is discussing adding Teddy Bridgewater, a free agent after not being brought back by the Vikings. The 2014 first-round pick threw just two passes — including an interception — last season in his return from a serious knee injury in August 2016.
The Jets could also potentially draft a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in April. They have Bryce Petty, a fourth- rounder three years ago, and Christian Hackenberg, a secondrounder in 2016, on the roster, along with undrafted free agent Joel Stave. But having McCown and possibly Bridgewater could buy time for a top draft pick and create an intriguing training camp competition.
New York will have a bit of a new look on offense this season, too, with coordinator John Morton fired and replaced by quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates. Running back Matt Forte also recently announced his retirement. Meanwhile, tight end Austin SeferianJenkins and offensive linemen Wesley Johnson, Dakota Dozier, Ben Ijalana and Jonotthan Harrison are all scheduled to be free agents.