New York Jets: Chan Gailey Offers Opinion On Keeping 4 Quarterbacks

By Kenneth Teape | May 19, 2016

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Jets could be heading into a peculiar situation with four quarterbacks this season, something offensive coordinator offered his opinion on this week.

The New York Jets could have an interesting situation on their hands in a couple of weeks. Things seem normal now, as they have only three quarterbacks under contract; Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. But, people will notice one name missing in Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick and the Jets are currently in a stalemate over a contract for next season, as he remains a free agent. But, popular opinion is that Fitzpatrick will eventually join the Jets, as there just aren’t very many options for him, and the Jets could use the veteran.

But, if he is signed, that is when things get interesting. He would make four quarterbacks on the roster, something rarely seen. The last time a team carried four players that played strictly quarterback was the Washington Redskins in 2013 with Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Colt McCoy and Pat White; the Minnesota Vikings also did that year with Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Joe Webb, but Webb was turned into a wide receiver.

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The Jets are no strangers to the unorthodox approach of keeping four quarterbacks as they did it during the 2002, 2003 and 2009 seasons. But, rules and regulations were different then with the collective bargaining agreement, as there was more time for practice. With the practice restrictions in place now, it is difficult to keep four quarterbacks as there is just not enough time to give reps to all those players.

But, if the Jets do end up keeping four quarterbacks, it is something that offensive coordinator Chan Gailey thinks could work. “I never have, but, yeah, you can, sure you can,” Gailey said when the subject was broached Monday.

Gailey would go more in depth about the positives and negatives to keeping four quarterbacks around, saying, “You’re not going to get four quarterbacks ready to play. You can’t do that, but can you keep guys around that you think are developmental possibilities? We do that every year, so yeah. If you like the developmental possibilities, you keep the guys you think are worthy.”

The Jets have two players that would fall under that developmental group in Petty and Hackenberg. Petty was brought on last season as a fourth round pick, and Hackenberg a second rounder this season. It would be hard to imagine either being let go and the Jets throwing in the towel that quickly on recent draft picks.

But, on a team led by Todd Bowles, that gives many of the practice reps to prepare the No.1 quarterback to play, finding playing time for the third and fourth stringer is difficult. That leads to the negative aspect of keeping that many players, which Gailey also touched in.

"“You can’t give them enough reps to develop. That’s the problem you have. There are a certain number of reps you have in preseason practice and there are a certain number of snaps in preseason games, so there’s not a lot of wiggle room for getting guys the reps they need. You have to understand, it’s going to be a slow process.”"

Therein lies the problem for the Jets. Does it make sense holding onto this many quarterbacks when you know they will not be getting the chance to develop as you would hope? But with the current situation, the Jets do not have a player they are comfortable naming their starter as they have shown little confidence in Smith.

If Smith is named the starter, the Jets have an even bigger problem at the backup quarterback spot, as they have no one beyond Smith with NFL regular season experience. That puts them in a tough position, as they need Fitzpatrick to set their quarterback depth chart the way they want.

Keeping four quarterbacks seems likely for the Jets this season, as they need another veteran to at least come in and compete for a backup spot. It is unlikely Petty or Hackenberg are ready to take over as the backup this season, but if they are it would make the Jets’ decision much easier for this season.

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If you think it is a difficult decision to make this season, just wait until they have to choose between the two developmental players in Petty and Hackenberg in the coming years.

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