Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

There have been 30 starting quarterbacks that have bridged the 42-year gap between Joe Namath and Sam Darnold. The list is filled with busts, washed-up players, overrated prospects, injury-prone guys, and even a few quarterbacks that gave a reason for hope that they never quite lived up to in the end.

So it's understandable why some people are afraid. History is not on the Jets' side when it comes to their quarterback choices. And there are more than a few Jets fans out there who surely don't want to be fooled again.

But it's OK to relax. It's OK to smile. And it's OK to feel good about the direction of the franchise. Sam Darnold is the real thing...

The writing was always on the wall, but now it is set in stone. 

Jets head coach Todd Bowles officially named rookie QB Sam Darnold the Week 1 starter against the Lions on Monday Night Football. 

After the Jets traded QB Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints, it was apparent the front office was confident in their No. 3 overall pick. Darnold has looked sharp all preseason, showcasing his smart decision-making, ability to scramble out of the pocket, accuracy, and more. Even though veteran Josh McCown is still in the quarterbacks room, the 21-year-old Darnold impressed everyone enough to believe he is ready to lead the offense...

It may not be Khalil Mack, but the Jets picked up an outside linebacker on Monday in former Charger Jeremiah Attaochu.

Attaochu's agent, Pat Dye Jr., announced the signing via Twitter. The former second-round pick by the Chargers back in 2014 worked out for New York on Sunday. 

Attaochu originally signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the 49ers back in March. However, they released him on Saturday.

The Jets are set to work out former Cowboys K Dan Bailey on Monday, according to ESPN's Field Yates. 

Bailey has been Dallas' kicker since 2011, however, he had his worst season for the Cowboys in 2017. He made 75 percent of his field goals (15-20), and missed four games. The 30-year-old was part of the Cowboys' cuts over the weekend.

Even through his struggles last season, Bailey is the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history with an 88.2 field goal percentage over his career thus far. 

The Jets filled out their 10-man practice squad on Monday, adding one quarterback, two defensive backs, two linebackers, one defensive lineman, one running back, one wide receiver and two offensive lineman.

New York's practice squad consists of quarterback John Wolford, cornerback Jeremy Clark, safety Brandon Bryant, linebackers Anthony Wint and Frankie Luvu, defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi, running back De'Angelo Henderson, wide receiver Deontay Burnett, center Nico Falah and offensive tackle Dieugot Joseph.

After narrowing their roster to 53 players on Saturday, the Jets may not be done rounding it out.

New York plans to work out former Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey, according to ESPN's Field Yates, and former Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, on Monday.

The Jets listed Jason Myers as their kicker and have six receivers -- Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Quincy Enunwa, Terrelle Pryor, Charone Peake and Andre Roberts -- on their active 53-man roster.

WR Chad Hansen was claimed off waivers by the Patriots after he was waived by the Jets on Saturday.

Hansen, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2017, hauled in nine passes for 94 yards in 15 games with the Jets last season, including one start.

This preseason, Hansen was limited to just one catch for eight yards, which came during in the team's final preseason game on Thursday.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

The Giants made a really odd decision on Sunday to get rid of a 23-year-old quarterback with plenty of potential without getting anything in return.

But Davis Webb likely won't be unemployed for long. And he could -- and should -- be a perfect fit with the Jets.

Yes, the Jets already have their quarterback of the future and nothing or nobody will stop the Sam Darnold Era from dawning this week. But they also only have two quarterbacks on their roster, and one of them is the 39-year-old Josh McCown.

Which released players could the Jets put in a waiver claim for?

Despite all the attention on who the Jets have been releasing over the last few days, the Jets' top brass will have been keeping tabs on who has been released by other teams around the league. Since they are sixth in waiver priority, the Jets have a good chance of landing any players they put in a claim for ahead of the deadline on Sunday at midday.  

The Jets will be looking for anyone who can be an immediate upgrade and perhaps for some players who have untapped potential. Let's examine their main needs and some candidates to claim or sign at each of these positions.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

All NFL teams were required to cut their rosters from 90 players to 53 by 4 p.m. on Saturday. That means the Jets, who had 89 players on their roster, made 36 moves.

Below is our running list of their cuts and other transactions:

The Oakland Raiders shook up the NFL early Saturday morning by reportedly trading Khalil Mack, one of the best defensive players in the league.

But no, he's not going to the Jets.

Instead, according to multiple reports, the 27-year-old, all-pro pass rusher is heading to the Chicago Bears, where one league source said he is expected to get the lucrative, long-term contract extension he's been seeking. That's the reason the Raiders are dealing their star. He's been holding out all summer in the hopes of landing a new deal.

Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse reportedly could miss the team's season-opener against the Lions after he underwent a procedure on his abdomen, according to the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta.

Kearse, 28, missed New York's last two preseason games and was labeled "day-to-day, week-to-week" by head coach Todd Bowles.

Kearse caught 65 passes for 810 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Jets after spending his first five seasons in the league with the Seahawks. He joined New York in last year's Sheldon Richardson trade.

Jets first-round pick Sam Darnold is set to be the youngest Week 1 starting quarterback in 48 years.

And though head coach Todd Bowles hasn't officially named him the team's quarterback, the No. 3 pick said he's ready to lead New York.

"If I am going to be the starter Week 1, I feel really comfortable," Darnold said after Thursday's preseason finale in which he did not play. "I feel really comfortable with the offense. I feel really comfortable with the guys inside this locker room. I'm just really excited for whatever opportunity comes my way. But if not, I'm going to be the best backup I can be."

PHILADELPHIA - At least now we can all stop pretending.

In case it wasn't clear before - and really, it was - Sam Darnold is going to be the Jets' Opening Day starting quarterback. It doesn't matter if Todd Bowles is ready to announce it or not, it's unofficially official. And it became that the moment Josh McCown started this meaningless, fourth preseason game.

Obviously the starters usually sit for most of this game. Also, if Darnold needed to show the coaches anything else - anything at all - Bowles would've given him a series or two.

The Jets lose to the Eagles 10-9 in their preseason finale, allowing a go-ahead touchdown with 18 seconds left.

It was the final preseason game of the season and the Jets rested their starters, includng Sam Darnold. Todd Bowles hasn't confirmed his week one plans, but it looks like the Darnold era will get underway as soon as possible.

A New York rookie is favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year according to one Vegas sportsbook, but not the one you're thinking of.

Jets QB Sam Darnold (+175) is favorite to win the award according to Bet Online, ahead of Giants RB Saquon Barkley (+225). Browns QB Baker Mayfield (+900) and Bills QB Josh Allen (+1200) are in the mix as well.

The Jets jumped at the chance to get a third-round pick in exchange for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. But no, that doesn't get them any closer to the biggest prize on the market -- Khalil Mack.

In fact, it remains "unlikely" that the Jets or anyone will pry Mack away from the Raiders, according to an AFC source who has been in contact with the team. The Jets probably have the ammunition to get Mack and they certainly have the desire. But the Raiders "aren't likely to deal him -- at least not right now," the source said.

"And if they do," the source added, "it's going to be very, very expensive."

The Jets have traded away Teddy Bridgewater, which shows their confidence in rookie QB Sam Darnold. And though it hasn't been made official yet, head coach Todd Bowles could be starting him Week 1 against the Lions on Monday NIght Football. 

If that is the case, Darnold -- at the young age of 21 -- will be the youngest Week 1 starting quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, according to NFL research. Darnold will pass former Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe for the record by 106 days. 

Though Josh McCown -- a veteran who had a career year with the Jets last year -- is still in the quarterbacks room, the Jets seem to like what they have seen from their No. 3 overall pick. Darnold has shown results in the stat sheet as well as the intangibles like scrambling out of the pocket, making throws on the run, and staying poised in tough situations...

Bent, theJetsBlog.com Follow on Twitter

Jets head coach Todd Bowles indicated last week that he's almost decided on his final 53 with only five or six roster spots up for grabs. So who are the likely cuts at each position?

Quarterbacks

After the Teddy Bridgewater trade on Wednesday afternoon, the quarterback position is all-set for 2018. Bowles already conceded that they're looking at the recently-signed John Wolford as a possibility for the practice squad...

The Jets have traded QB Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints for a third-round draft pick, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed. 

The Jets will also send the Saints a sixth-round pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

"In his time with us, Teddy was a consummate professional, a great teammate and a tremendous leader," Jets GM Mike Maccagnan said in an official statement. "He worked diligently with our medical staff and made tremendous strides along the way. We wish him nothing but success in the future."

Former Giants QB and current CBS analyst, Phil Simms, gave his thoughts on both the Jets and Giants for the upcoming season. And for those Jets fans that believe the team has a chance to see a playoff game next year, Simms isn't on your side. 

"Yeah, I'd be shocked," he told NJ.com's Darryl Slater at NFL on CBS media day. "I'd be really surprised, just because: Name me the guys that are going to win the game."

The Jets do have some young, talented players like Jamal Adams and Leonard Williams. And their No. 3 overall pick in Sam Darnold, who many believe will get the nod to start Week 1. However, Simms isn't confident in this group to finish games in the win column. 

This past offseason, the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes had a heavy contender in the Jets. Desperately needing a consistent quarterback, Gang Green was all in on the 30-year-old signal caller. 

And after watching Part One of a documentary on the free-agency process that Cousins went through, we know just how much the Jets laid out on the table.

During one scene, Cousins gets off the phone with his agent, Mike McCarthy, and tells his wife, Julie, that the Jets offered him three years, $90 million, all of which was fully guaranteed. This offer came within the first four hours of the "legal tampering" period on March 12...

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

The Jets open the season on Monday, Sept. 10 against the Lions. Here's where things stand with the race to be the starting quarterback...

IN THE LEAD: SAM DARNOLD

The coronation feels inevitable at this point, as the 21-year-old continues to do everything a starting quarterback usually does during the preseason. His teammates won't say it, but they sure think he's going to be their starting quarterback. Everyone seems to think he's ready. He looks like he's ready. All that's missing is Todd Bowles' announcement...

It has been a long time coming for Jets WR Quincy Enunwa, as he finally stepped back betweeen the hashes on Friday for his first game action since New Year's Day in 2017. 

Enunwa was forced to miss the entire 2017 season with a neck injury, and though he has been at camp, a thumb injury kept him from playing in the Jets' first two preseason contests with the Falcons and Redskins.

He finally got the chance to show his team that he hasn't lost a step against the Giants, and after a couple receptions, Enunwa was happy with how his first game went...

Bent, theJetsBlog.com Follow on Twitter

After three preseason games, now is a good time to assess who has played well enough to improve their chances of a role during the regular season, and whose struggles have put their spot in jeopardy.

We've identified five winners and five losers from the first three games...

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- It feels like everyone around the Jets organization knows a secret, but no one is allowed to say it. The truth is that Sam Darnold has done everything this summer that a starting quarterback normally does to get ready for Week 1, while the other two quarterbacks haven't.

So it would be a pretty big shock, and maybe a huge disappointment for Darnold, if the rookie isn't named the Jets' starting quarterback, right?

Former Jets WR Eric Decker has called it quits, announcing on Instagram that he is officially retiring. 

Decker was about to enter his ninth year in the NFL, this time with the Patriots who he signed with in the offseason. However, with Decker not having a strong camp so far, it didn't look like he would make the roster. 

So, Decker is ready to move on from the game, and attack his next adventure in the future...

The Jets have signed QB John Wolford and waived/injured WR Lucky Whitehead, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. 

With the final preseason game coming this Thursday against the Eagles, it was expected that the Jets pick up another quarterback with starters likely not playing any snaps. 

Wolford, a Wake Forest product, was a part of the Jets' rookie minicamp this past spring. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound signal caller threw for 8,794 yards and 59 touchdowns during his four years with the Demon Deacons.