New York Jets: Why winning games is fine with me despite the quarterback situation

Here is why it can still work out for the New York Jets, even if they win more football games in 2017.

“To win or not to win? That is the question.” No, not really, it’s just a paraphrase of a William Shakespeare line. However, it is relevant as a debate topic that has been on New York Jets fans lips since 2017 began and will continue to be for the rest of the year. Is it better for the Jets to finish the year at 2-14 and end up with a top-five draft pick? Or, should they win five or six games and be outside of that top group of picks? Does that damage their future?

It’s a topic with fair arguments on both sides and the debate will rage on for the rest of the 2017 season.

My good friend Scott Mason, host of the Play Like a Jet podcast, has talked about the fact that there is no right way to be a fan. He is absolutely right. Whether you are in favor of the Jets tanking and losing as many games as possible or not, you are entitled to your opinion. Ultimately, we all want the best for the team, we don’t have to agree on how to get there.

Personally I have been back and forth on this issue. As they run their record to 2-2, I have come to the decision of enjoying whatever happens during the year and worrying about the draft once it is all over. Let me take you through why.

More from Empire Writes Back

First of all, it’s not as if the Jets are going to win 10 or 11 games. Not with the schedule that they have coming up. With the Patriots twice, the Chiefs and the Falcons just to name a few, a large winning streak isn’t likely.

The fact that they are currently 2-2 may end the dream of the first pick but it won’t end the dream of a high pick.

Let’s talk about “can’t miss” quarterbacks. 2018 is full of these guys. Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen (my favorite) and Josh Allen are just three of them. It’s the deepest quarterback class we have seen in years.

Now let’s think back to some other “can’t miss” quarterbacks:

Look up the phrase “draft bust” in the dictionary and you will see any or all four of these players pictured.

If you want to talk about a great draft class for quarterbacks, you go back to 1983 when six went in the first round. Three of them are in the Hall of Fame. All six were highly touted but three of them, Todd Blackledge, Tony Eason and our very own Ken O’Brien, did not have the same type of success.

By the way, Deshaun Watson was chosen 12th in last year’s draft. What am I trying to say? The team doesn’t have to pick at the very top to get a quarterback. Dak Prescott was selected in the fourth round, Tom Brady in the sixth. Just saying.

Next: Mo Claiborne is getting it done in New York

Remember, it doesn’t have to be a draft pick that fits the bill. Kirk Cousins will be a free agent after the season. The Redskins have given him the franchise tag twice. Maybe he wants to move on, who knows? He is still a proven commodity at the NFL level. Other free agent quarterbacks include (via Over the Cap): Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater (if health checks out), Jimmy Garoppolo, and A.J. McCarron (restricted). The Jets will have a lot of money to play with to sign a quarterback if they aren’t able to draft one.

This is just some food for thought on how to look at things. It really isn’t the end of the road if the Jets don’t land the number one pick.

Home/New York Jets