The Jets have found their backup quarterback as QB Trevor Siemian signed a one-year deal with the team, his agent Mike McCartney confirming via Twitter. Siemian's deal has a $2 million base salary that could reach $3 million with incentives.
With veteran QB Josh McCown still undecided as to whether he wants to play next season, the Jets brought in an experience backup for Sam Darnold now in Siemian to fill out the depth chart. Davis Webb, who was acquired off waivers when the Giants cut him last year, is also under contract for the 2019 season.
The 27-year-old wanted a change of scenery as the Vikings were interested in bringing him back for another season to sit behind Kirk Cousins. However, he is now joining Gang Green and provides the Jets with more than just a serviceable option in case something happens to Darnold.
Siemian has starting experience (24 starts) under his belt, having won the quarterback battle with the Broncos back in 2016. He went 8-6 in that season, and finished an even 5-5 in 10 starts in 2017.
As for McCown, the Siemian signing could mean the end for his Jets career. McCown, who is also repped by McCartney, released a statement last week saying he needed more time to figure out what he wanted to do with his football career. Turning 40 this year, McCown wants to do what's best for his family, and new head coach Adam Gase recognized that.
"I'm going to give him some distance," Gase said at the NFL Combine last month. "It's a tough decision to get up there in age, your family, he has older kids playing high school sports. That's a tough decision for him to make whether or not he wants to be away from his family still. I'm trying to give him some space."
While McCown mulls over his decision, Siemian is set to have the upper hand at the backup role behind Darnold when training camp kicks off.