Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Jets Rumors: Josh McCown Meeting Going Well

By Kenneth Teape

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

New York Jets Rumors: Quarterback Josh McCown came in for a visit and things are reportedly going well.

Recent New York Jets rumors had revolved around linebacker Dont’a Hightower. The Jets showed serious interest in Hightower before he re-signed with the division rival New England Patriots. With most of the big fish off the market, the Jets returned their focus to the quarterback position.

Quarterback is arguably the biggest hole the Jets have currently. Finding a franchise quarterback isn’t an easy task, and the Jets know that about as well as any team in the NFL. The Jets are in a tough position as they do not look to have an NFL caliber starting quarterback on the roster or even a long-term solution in place.

The quarterbacks with the most experience from last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith, both were free agents. There was talk that Smith could be brought back, but he flipped to Big Blue from Gang Green, as he is expected to sign a deal with the New York Giants next week, pending a physical this weekend.

More from Jets Rumors

With Fitzpatrick and Smith out of the picture, the Jets only have Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. Petty didn’t play particularly well, and Hackenberg was never close to getting on the field.

While the Jets may have hope Petty or Hackenberg could develop into something, the need for a veteran is clear. The Jets select a quarterback almost every year, but they cannot go into offseason workouts with only Petty, Hackenberg, and a 2017 NFL Draft pick.

The Jets were in the market early in free agency for a veteran. They were linked to Mike Glennon and Brian Hoyer, but both players went elsewhere. Glennon landed with the Chicago Bears, while Hoyer joined Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers.

As a result, the Jets are left still looking for a veteran quarterback. They have set their sight on the well-traveled Josh McCown. The Jets brought McCown in for meetings this weekend as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It sounds like the meetings have gone very well.

According to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY, McCown met with the Jets for a second day on Saturday. Things have gone so well that the two sides are actually discussing contract parameters.

McCown would fit the bill as a veteran, stop gate. He has experience, starting 60 games in his 14-year career. He will be 38-years old when the season starts, so he will be a very short-term option for the Jets should be signed.

The Jets also have to be ready to see Petty or Hackenberg on the field. McCown is very injury prone. McCown has played double-digit games only twice in his career; part of that is because he has been a backup, but also because he cannot stay healthy.

Next: New York Jets: Top 5 Quarterbacks Of All-Time

McCown would give the Jets a solid veteran presence to give the young guys some time to develop. But a plan has to be in place for them to play; it is unlikely, if McCown is signed, that he will not make it through the whole season without being hurt.

Home/Jets Rumors