New York Jets: Our trust in Mike Maccagnan and belief in labels

Why do we trust Mike Maccagnan to find the New York Jets quarterback? Labels.

Labels are a part of our everyday lives, not just New York Jets football. How many of us leave our taxes with one person because they are the “numbers” guy? I’ll bet a lot of you. You might trust the “foodie” to give you recommendations of what to eat while you are on vacation. “Get so and so on the phone, they are the trivia guy, they would know this”. We all do it. We put our trust in the labels that we give others in our lives.

After John Idzik was chased out of town, in walked Mike Maccagnan. He came in with one of those labels we talked about earlier. He’s a “football” guy. What does that mean? Well, his background is in scouting. Idzik’s background was not, so Jets Nation was filled with excitement at the acquisition of a football guy to pick the players. Finally, someone who knows what they are doing! Right?

Maccagnan does have an eye for talent at times. After all, J.J. Watt was drafted on his watch. I’d say he is pretty talented. So the narrative came with him.

More from Empire Writes Back

Like any other general manager, Maccagnan has had his hits and his misses. Leonard Williams, Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are example of hits right off the top. Lorenzo Mauldin, whom I had high hopes for, and Dylan Donahue are two guys that ultimately may be draft busts.

Two of his biggest busts, at least seemingly, are Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, his two stabs at the most important position. He has taken two swings and still not filled the all-important franchise quarterback position.

It’s time to take a swing for the third time. Does Maccagnan deserve it? A lot of the fan base believes he should be gone, but not everyone. I have been caught myself saying that I still believe in him, taking note of other pickups he has made such as Robby Anderson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

But can this “football guy” find a quarterback? Here are the quarterbacks that have been taken in his past, when he was working for the Redskins or the Texans:

Not exactly the cream of the crop is it? No, Maccagnan was not the general manager in any of these situations, but his hand was in the jar. This has been the best he has been able to find, yet some of us continue to trust him. Why? Labels. He’s a “football guy”.

Next: Why the Jets must sign Cousins

The bottom line is that Maccagnan gets one more shot to find that elusive quarterback. Some fans are not happy, some fans still have trust. Why? Because he is the football guy. Isn’t it amazing the faith we put in guys because of their labels?

Incidentally, John Idzik’s quarterback selections have started more games than those of Mike Maccagnan. Interesting…

Home/New York Jets