New York Jets: Mike Maccagnan’s legacy to be determined in one move
New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan can set his entire legacy, for better or for worse, with just one move.
Mike Maccagnan is a guy that is debated fairly vehemently among New York Jets fans. Specifically the debate is about the body of work over his first two years with the team. There is food for thought on both sides as he has made some good moves, such as Jamal Adams, Leonard Williams and Brandon Shell. There have been others that have been not so good, and they have been talked about at length.
Some of his worst moves have been at the all-important position, the quarterback position. We know how it ended with Ryan Fitzpatrick. The world has seen Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. So have the Jets staff, and now they believe they are Triple-A level. That’s not a very good assessment of Maccagnan’s draft picks at the position so far. It’s actually a big indictment of the picks.
However, he can fix it all with one move. You have heard of going from zero to 60? Well Maccagnan can go from Idzik to Polian. For anyone who doesn’t know, Bill Polian is the great general manager that worked with the Bills and the Colts, among other teams. That would be the level Maccagnan is elevated to if he gets this right.
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That’s the importance of the quarterback position, ladies and gentlemen. That’s the elephant in the room move that is coming in the offseason. We know it, they have to get it right. It’s so important that it will singlehandedly dub Maccagnan either John Idzik or Bill Polian.
Don’t get me wrong, part of it has to do with the fact that we haven’t had a franchise quarterback in decades. Remember when the team traded up to get Mark Sanchez? The fans went nuts when it happened. Anyone who finally solves the problem will be anointed to deity, much less top GM.
Some of it is also Maccagnan’s doing. What has been obvious in 2017? That the Jets roster is more talented than we thought. It’s not flashy talented, but it’s talented. There is enough here for the team to be competitive, and they have been competitive. That being said, the portion of the schedule upcoming may still render the Jets 5-11 at season’s end. The Jets will be in position to pick a quarterback in the first round.
The Jets will be in position to fill the hole via free agency. The name that will be talked about the most is Kirk Cousins. If Maccagnan and his staff decide he is worth the money it will be there for them to spend. It doesn’t sound like he will be back in Washington and has a great chance to hit the open market. Will the Jets decide that he is the best move? Maybe they will go for a lesser free agent like Teddy Bridgewater and draft a quarterback as well? There are lots of options here.
Next: Jets history following the bye week
This is not to say which way is the right way. Pretty strong cases could be made to handle the quarterback situation EITHER way. All the point is here is that whichever move Mike Maccagnan decides to make, it will determine his legacy in New York. If he makes the wrong move, his days in New York will be numbered.