4 perfect backups to help Sam Darnold grow into a star

2. Trevor Siemian

This one is rooted in recent familiarity, if nothing else. Siemian signed to be a backup for the Jets last offseason, and started the first game after the shocking news Darnold had mono in Week 2 last year. Siemian suffered a nasty looking ankle injury in the second quarter of that game, and missed the rest of the season.

Siemian notably pinned former Broncos’ first-round pick Paxton Lynch to the bench (not that it took a lot), with 24 starts and 25 appearances over the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He was not great, completing 59.3 percent of his passes with 30 touchdowns, 24 interceptions and 13-11 record as the starter over that span But he did keep things afloat, and win more games than he lost. If that’s not the dictionary definition of a backup quarterback, I don’t know what is.

Siemian is an ideal backup for the Jets in every respect. He knows his role, knows the Jets system and can be a voice in the room with starting experience. With the addition of some pieces around the quarterback this offseason, Siemian can surely be effective if he had to play. When it comes down to it, a reunion could be in order.