It would be hard for Bryce Petty to look at the New York Jets’ decision to draft a quarterback in the second round this year as anything other than a demonstration of the team’s lack of confidence in him, but that doesn’t mean the former Baylor star is going to take it out on the rookie who could replace him.
With Geno Smith expected to start if the Jets cannot come to terms with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Petty and Christian Hackenberg are battling for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Petty is fully aware of that.
“They chose the dude for a reason … because they have a slight doubt about my capabilities,” the 2015 fourth-round pick told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “So for that, I want to take that personal. But the thing is it doesn’t matter if it’s Year 2 that they pick a guy or Year 12 that they pick a guy. I’m going to have that same mentality. Every time they think I can’t do something, I’m going to take it personal.”
The Jets obviously didn’t see enough in Petty last season to think he can be their starting quarterback — or even primary backup — of the future. That doesn’t mean Petty can’t prove the team wrong, and he says he will try to do that while also treating Hackenberg with respect.
“You go out and compete, but it’s not like you want to rip the guy’s throat out,” Petty said. “At the end of the day, he’s your teammate. If there are questions that he has, I’m going to answer them. I’m not going to be a d— about it. Fitz wasn’t a d— to me about it. That’s not my style.”
Jets coach Todd Bowles recently indicated that the team could sign a veteran backup if the Fitzpatrick stalemate never ends, so Petty might even be battling for a roster spot. Although, the early reports about Hackenberg’s performance in OTAs have not been positive.
Simply put, this is no time to envy New York’s QB situation.
Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
