Once Aaron Rodgers suffered his season-ending ankle injury, the New York Jets needed to address the quarterback position. Despite early optimism, Zach Wilson has continued to underperform against a tough schedule. With only Tim Boyle behind him on the 53-man roster, Joe Douglas needed to address the position before the team plays Kansas City on Sunday night.
Thankfully for New York, Joe Douglas brought in some reinforcements on Tuesday. The team signed former starting quarterback Trevor Siemian to their practice squad. The nine-year veteran spent the preseason in Cincinnati competing with Jake Browning for the backup job behind Joe Burrow. Siemian might not have the starting experience or prestige fans hoped for after Zach Wilson struggled. However, Trevor Siemian does represent a solid veteran presence under center and can elevate the floor of the offense better than Zach Wilson.
New York Jets Sign Former Starting Quarterback
Trevor Siemian was the last quarterback selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was a four-year starter at Northwestern before entering the NFL. Although he failed to throw a pass his rookie season, Siemian gained a remarkable mentor in future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. Siemian watched as Manning and the Broncos captured the franchise’s third Super Bowl in Manning’s final game of Manning’s career. Siemian won the starting job the following season. An 8-6 record as a starter with over 3,400 passing yards, and 18 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions. He was named an alternate for the 2017 Pro Bowl but didn’t play after recovering from a shoulder injury. Alas, inconsistent play and injuries cost him the starting job the following season. After back-to-back seasons on the bench in Minnesota and New York, Siemian resurfaced in New Orleans as a backup to Drew Brees.
Siemian replaced Jameis Winston as the starter after the first overall pick in 2015 suffered a torn ACL in Week 8. Although the Saints lost in all four of his starts, the veteran QB had a great season. Through 6 games, Siemian threw for 1,154 yards on 57.4 completion percentage, while throwing 11 touchdowns to only three interceptions. An output like this is even more impressive when you consider New Orleans lost Michael Thomas missed the entire season. Siemian opted to leave New Orleans and sign a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears. A shoulder injury to Justin Fields in Week 10 allowed Siemian to start his first game in 2022. Playing through an oblique injury sustained in warmups, he threw for 175 yards, a touchdown pass, and one interception against the Jets.
Should Trevor Siemian start over Zach Wilson?
While many fans expected the likes of Kirk Cousins or Ryan Tannehill would help salvage the season, Siemian is a valuable addition for New York. The 31-year-old is now the most experienced member of the quarterback room. The past three weeks have shown how limited the offense is with Zach Wilson under center. Siemian has experience with Hackett’s offense through his time in Chicago with Luke Getsy(Hackett’s quarterback coach in Green Bay, 2019-2021). Not to mention, Siemian and pass game coordinator Ken Downing shared a sideline in Minnesota in 2018.
Siemian isn’t the biggest playmaker nor has the strongest arm. But, the veteran brings years of experience and enough poise in the pocket to lose you games. If Siemian can grasp the offense early, New York’s offense could see some even-keeled quarterback play. Something that will not only make Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall’s lives easier but give the defense a breather too.
Main Photo: [Kareem Elgazzar]- USA Today Sports
