New York Jets sign Trevor Siemian: Grade, reactions and more

The New York Jets signed quarterback Trevor Siemian to backup Sam Darnold, giving the depth chart stability.

With 39-year-old Josh McCown uncertain about his NFL future, the New York Jets decided to sign Trevor Siemian to back-up second-year quarterback Sam Darnold. Before joining the Jets, Siemian had been the back-up to Kirk Cousins in Minnesota for the 2018 season.

The 27-year-old Siemian played for Northwestern and was drafted in the seventh round in 2015 by the Denver Broncos. He started the 2016 season for Denver, and spent three years there before the Vikings signed him as the backup for Kirk Cousins. He never saw the field during the 2018 season, but does have 24 games as a starter under his belt from his Denver days.

Contract Details

The Jets signed Siemian to a one-year deal worth $2 million, with up to $3 million available in incentives.

National Reaction

ESPN writer Rich Cimini thinks the Jets are gambling with Siemian, but at least they got him for a better price than past back-up quarterbacks.

Vikings fans never got to watch Siemian, but some applauded him for being a stand-up guy during his time with Minnesota.

With McCown on his way out, the Jets found a decent back-up for Darnold at a good price. Siemian wasn’t terrible when he played in Denver. He won 13 out of 24 starts, completed 59.3 percent of his passes, and threw for 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. But he hasn’t taken the field in over a year. And unlike McCown, who could at least serve as a mentor for Darnold, Siemian doesn’t have much NFL wisdom to impart on Darnold in his second year.

With all the weapons the Jets have added to their team this year, they will be hoping that Darnold stays healthy. Siemian is too much of a question mark.