The Jets will head into a third straight game with a Zach Wilson–Tim Boyle QB depth chart, with practice squad addition Trevor Siemian not on track to be elevated in time for New York’s matchup against Kansas City. For the foreseeable future, Siemian looks to be it regarding Jets QB additions.
Although Siemian does not profile as a player who will be an open-and-shut upgrade on Wilson, he represents the organization’s move. In the wake of Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear, the Jets did not want to bring in a starter-caliber quarterback like Carson Wentz or Matt Ryan due to the quarterback controversy such a move would have incited, per the New York Post’s Brian Costello. Instead, the Jets wanted to give Wilson the best chance to succeed. Robert Saleh‘s endorsements are in line with that plan.
[RELATED: Rodgers Not Ruling Out Return This Season]
So far, Wilson has not shown notable improvement, despite the Jets’ party line depicting offseason progress from the former No. 2 overall pick. The Jets’ inaction regarding a surefire upgrade effort also stems from finances, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, who said during an appearance on Fox Sports’ Undisputed the team already devoting a substantial amount of cash to its QB spot — via the Rodgers trade — has impacted its willingness to chase another passer. Both Wentz and Ryan reached out to the team, with Costello adding Ryan indeed did so (despite the ex-Falcons and Colts starter denying he wants to step away from his CBS announcing gig).
Only the Browns and Ravens have outspent the Jets in terms of 2023 cash, with Gang Green at nearly $277MM. In terms of cap space, the Jets hold just more than $8MM, which ranks 11th in the NFL. The directive aimed at instructing the Jets to make do with that they have at quarterback came from the top down, Anderson adds.
While Woody Johnson confirmed a willingness to spend for a veteran upgrade this offseason, it looks like — for the time being, at least — the Jets will not double down on the position after acquiring Rodgers. The Jets prefer to use their practice squad as the gateway to a QB addition, Anderson notes. This would mean a Siemian elevation or eventual promotion to the active roster.
Names like Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill have circulated as potential Jets options. Cousins, who would cost the Vikings $10MM in dead money to move, has a no-trade clause. The Titans did not touch Tannehill’s base salary this offseason. With that number sitting at $27MM, the Jets would need to make considerable cap adjustments or push the Titans to eat a portion of his contract. Wentz remains unattached. Despite coming into the league via an Eagles trade-up to No. 2 overall, a move Philadelphia made when current Jets GM Joe Douglas was part of its front office, no traction has emerged regarding the now-well-traveled QB being signed.
Siemian spoke with the Jets shortly after Rodgers went down, and while the team opted to stand pat at quarterback through Week 3, Costello adds Siemian reached out again this week to see if they were still interested. The former seventh-round pick, who went into the 2019 season as Sam Darnold‘s Jets backup, is now 31 and has been with seven teams — if his Cincinnati offseason stay is counted. Siemian has made 30 career starts but has been a backup since the Broncos traded him to the Vikings in 2018.
Siemian joined Chad Henne, Colt McCoy and Brett Rypien as players the Jets contacted. Interest was not mutual regarding some of the players the Jets contacted, Anderson adds. The Jets inquired about signing Rypien off the Rams’ practice squad, a move that would have vaulted the ex-Broncos backup to the Jets’ active roster for at least three weeks, but Los Angeles instead promoted him to its 53-man unit.
With Wilson-driven locker-room frustration again surfacing, it will be interesting to see if the Jets change their low-cost approach to QB staffing in this emergency circumstance. The team had mostly relied on rookie-contract QBs since the Brett Favre move 15 years ago, prompting the Rodgers swing. With Wilson’s QBR ahead of only Justin Fields‘ number, the Jets are paying for not acquiring a veteran backup and instead keeping Wilson in that role this offseason. The team’s Week 7 bye might be the point a reassessment occurs.
Ha ha! Which team is the clown of the season, NYJ or Chicago?
Didn’t the Jags just get smacked around at home by the lowly Texans?
Sure did. Jets, Bears, & Jags is your list of clown franchises? Doesn’t bother me at all. Jags ‘generational QB’ has a stunning 13-23 record in 2 plus seasons. I agree, that’s pretty funny.
Texans turned around their offense pretty quickly
really interesting matchup with the Steelers this wknd
In the Jets’ defense, their troubles are more promulgated by bad luck than outright tomfoolery. Chicago seems to have more going on than is out in the open, so I won’t speculate there.
AK185,
You’re too NFL smart of a fan for allowing the Jets to have 70+ years of ‘bad luck’ .
I have 3 SB rings due to J Gibbs’ and my Skins growing up Plenty of HoF’ers as well. Now I just appreciate and laugh at the game. I don’t favor 1 team or another. Dan S killed that 10+ years ago for me.
But to think the Jets have an actual QB plan together is beyond comical!! This is season 2 of the entire team saying ‘CUT HIM!!!” And yet the GM & HC kept Zach??? Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Robbin Williams level of laughs! For me at least.
Well, my comment was really in regards to Rodgers going down. I agree that New York should have had a better contingency plan, but I can’t blame for trying to improve.
They’re not aiming to win many more games either apparently.
“We have studied the tape, and we love all the things that Zach doesn’t do. We think he is just the guy to lead this team to a top 5 pick in April.”
-Robert Salah
“We are all putting our season hopes in THAT guy? I thought we spent the offseason trying to upgrade for a reason!”
– unnamed Jets player
“Yeah, of course Im working in my resume.”
– Joe Douglas
I don’t find any of this funny.
– Jets fans
Ha ha! Well done!
A couch potato Kaepernick with a broken arm has to be better than Wilson
I think developing Wilson behind ARo was a part of the plan
they just thought they’d get more than 3 snaps
Doesn’t matter though does it?
They didn’t like him last year. That hasn’t changed and they are now doomed to repeat last year.
They still have the opportunity to get marginally better, but are actively choosing to not do so. I think that is the point.
The longer they wait, the more the season is lost.
Sure, the OLine is an issue, but let’s not lose sight that Zach is objectively bad. They are wasting a year of this roster.
Carson Wentz isn’t going to win any awards, but he is miles better than Zach.
Kaepernick could be a low cost lottery ticket.
You’re joking right? We see that you can’t take 700 days off and pick up where you left off. How long has it been for Kaepernick?
No, he’s right. Lottery tickets are mostly unsuccessful.
Don’t what a guy who’s foundation funded an organization created to glorify a cop killer
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made a $25,000 donation to a group honoring Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur), a member of the Black Liberation Army who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster.
No, he couldn’t
I have to disagree a little with the article. Siemian may be just average as a player, but he is certainly an open and shut upgrade over Wilson.
He couldn’t make the Bengals and when they needed to replace Will Grier, they decided to get Reid Sinnett back. Semien is terrible
Browning is younger, so I can see why he would be a pick.
Your contention is that Siemian is terrible because of a competition that none of us got to see and only read about. We did, however, get to see Siemian’s play with the Broncos and a bit with the Saints. 42 touchdowns to 28 interceptions. He was serviceable. Obviously, he is not a starter. As far as backups go, he’s done more good than the vast majority. And, I never contended that Siemian was great, or even good. I only said that he is an upgrade over Wilson. His history has shown that that SHOULD be pretty obvious.
You just have to realize that there is a category between “great” and “terrible”. Most players fall into that category. They make mistakes, but they’re better than the worst. And, as the article pointed out, it’s not like there were many options for the Jets. Some players did not want (presumably Henne or McCoy, perhaps both) to even go play for New York. The Jets obviously can’t give up anything for another player (look at who they contacted-free agents and practice squad players). Personally, I’m of the opinion that whomever starts is going to get killed behind that line anyway, so it doesn’t matter that much, but what would you have them do?
I watched Semien in the preseason. He started 2 of the 3 games and looked bad. I mean the Bengals added Sinnett and McCarron before Semien.
is he tho?
I’d say he’s about the same, if not worse than Wilson.
Wentz was really the only solid option available, but even he may have a better opportunity elsewhere later this season
Well, yes, he is. Siemian at least has some historical record of effectiveness in his career for a season. His first season starting in Denver he threw for 3401 yards, 18 TDs, and 10 INTs. Not spectacular, and clearly backup level stats, but Denver went 8-6 in those games (albeit with a better roster than New York’s). I’m not saying this to boost Siemian as being great. He had a not great completion percentage of 59.3%, for instance. The next year, he threw more picks (14) than touchdowns (12). Of course, that was his worst season, but Siemian is not going to blow the doors off any offense. I agree with that. But he has more production and experience than most backup options. Siemian’s other notable action-four games with the Saints in 2021-produced 1154 yards with 11 TDs against 3 INTs. So, yes, he has shown that he can play more responsibly than Wilson in a backup role, and he has produced much more than Wilson has in his career. Only the best backups offer more than that, and they’re not available.
So, no, this isn’t me trying to convince that Siemian is great, or even necessarily good. I am saying that even what you are getting from Siemian is more than you are from almost any other backup. Most arguments otherwise are regarding potential, rather than production. There aren’t many backups who can offer high quality play compared to a starter. Andy Dalton, Gardner Minshew, Teddy Bridgewater, or Cooper Rush doesn’t just pop up anytime as available.
For the record, I do think that Wentz offers much more as a starter. In his case, however, that offensive line is a major concern due to his injury history. Perhaps that’s why NYJ didn’t sign him. I probably would have looked into it if I were in their position. For some reason, they decided against-and there’s not much out there that the Jets can get right now. Siemian is certainly not the worst that they could have done, even if it’s not likely to be very pretty.
you said it… with a better roster
QBs can’t do much without an oline
I agree. That’s why, while I expect some of the execution to be better on simple plays (Siemian-or whoever else-will still need to get familiar with the playbook and teammates), the ultimate product will still be bad or below average overall. At best, you’ll get rid of the Wilson-specific issues, but the line is still terrible and there isn’t a proven receiver or tight end who has carried an offense in the past (Garrett looks good, but still is mostly potential in his second year).
At the end of the day, you still have to make the change. Why? Because that locker room is about to be lost completely, and the Jets need those guys to have some faith, even if it’s just for next season.
Thanks a lot, Woody! Guess I could use a year off from watching football…
Well, the only advantage of this situation is that the players who are completely committed would stand out. The leaders will show themselves in tough circumstances.
Let me know who stands out for you, I’m done watching garbage football. 25 years as a Jets fan, I refuse to do it to myself any longer
Yeah. Just trying to find something positive to see. I’ll watch, but I try to watch everything.