QB.. our Back-Up... 4 options ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

The Jets have made plenty of important decisions so far this offseason. None of those decisions are as important as figuring out who will be under center next season, though.New York has a bevy of options to address the quarterback position. It could roll the dice with Sam Darnold for another season or draft a signal-caller with the second pick in the upcoming draft — likely BYU’s Zach Wilson.

Managing a quarterback conundrum goes far beyond the name at the top of the depth chart, though. Regardless of who gets the nod as the Jets’ starting quarterback in 2021, Joe Douglas and company need to make sure a solid insurance policy is in place if an injury arises or poor performance necessitates a change.New York has learned the hard way that not having a quality backup quarterback can severely hinder its ability to compete. Who could Douglas peg to fill the role next season? Here are four quarterbacks that can be Gang Green’s No. 2 signal-caller in 2021.

james morgan - Last season was essentially a redshirt year for Morgan, as he sat and learned behind Darnold and Joe Flacco (who we will get to in just a moment). The Florida International product will have to learn his second offense in as many years with a new regime in place at One Jets Drive, but there is reason to believe he has an inside track at landing the backup gig.Douglas didn’t take a risk and draft Morgan in the fourth round of last year’s draft to have him penciled in as a healthy scratch in every game for a second straight season. He’ll have as good a chance as anyone to win the job in training camp.

A.J. McCarron - McCarron appeared in just two games with the Texans last season and has made only four starts in his seven-year NFL career. He remains a viable backup quarterback option for the Jets, though, as his experience could prove invaluable at One Jets Drive.Whether it’s Darnold, Wilson or another rookie under center for New York in 2021, the Jets need a backup quarterback who can serve as a mentor. McCarron is at the point in his career where he can take on that role. He also carries a winning pedigree from his days at Alabama, which could entice Robert Saleh given his desire to build Gang Green’s culture back up to one where success is expected.

Matt Barkley - Barkley was one billed as a first-round draft pick and a sure-fire star. He hasn’t quite lived up to those expectations, but the USC product has strung together a lengthy career as a backup quarterback that doesn’t figure to end anytime soon.If anything, Barkley’s familiarity with the AFC East should give the Jets reason to pick up the phone. It doesn’t hurt to have a quarterback in the building who knows the division’s defenses like the back of his hand at this point in his career. It also doesn’t hurt to have a signal-caller who has witnessed what it takes to win in the AFC East to mentor New York’s young quarterback room.

Nate Sudfeld - Most football fans know Sudfeld as the quarterback who questionably replaced Jalen Hurts in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 2020 finale on Sunday Night Football.Joe Douglas knows him in a bit different light — one that could land him with the Jets.Sudfeld and Douglas crossed paths in Philadelphia and even won a Super Bowl together. The Indiana product never saw much playing time during Douglas’ tenure with the Eagles, but the familiarity between them could potentially generate some mutual interest as the offseason progresses.

>  https://jetswire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-free-agency-new-york-jets-backup-quarterback-options-james-morgan/