Jets coach can’t explain that vicious Hackenberg report
Rookie QB Christian Hackenberg did not play a down this season. Bowles, after the 30-10 win over the Bills at MetLife Stadium, said they never considered playing him Sunday, even when the score got out of hand in the fourth quarter.
“We didn’t need him,” Bowles said. “We didn’t plan on playing him.”
ESPN reported Sunday that it has been evident to those inside the Jets that Hackenberg is not ready to play. The network quoted one anonymous Jets coach saying Hackenberg “couldn’t hit the ocean.”
Bowles said that was not the team’s view.
“Not at all,” Bowles said.
Another Jets official told the network that Hackenberg regressed throughout this season. The report went on to say the Jets still think he can be salvaged after an offseason away to work on his mechanics.
The Jets will have the No. 6 pick in the 2017 draft. … The Jets 2017 opponents are locked in. They will play the Chargers, Chiefs, Falcons, Panthers, Jaguars, Patriots, Bills and Dolphins at home. They will play the Broncos, Raiders, Saints, Buccaneers, Browns, Patriots, Bills and Dolphins on the road.
WR Brandon Marshall was inactive with a hip injury. … The Jets used 75 different players this season for at least one game. That is tied for the most in a season in NFL history (excluding the 1987 NFL season.) The Jaguars also hit that mark in 2011 and 2012. … The Jets recorded three takeaways in the game, giving them 14 this season, avoiding the franchise record for fewest in a season, which is 13 set in 2014.… This is the first time the Jets have ever finished 5-11.