Jets sign quarterback Trevor Siemian
Trevor Siemian of the Jets warms up before a game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets added a third quarterback, finally.
They signed veteran Trevor Siemian to their practice squad on Tuesday.
A seventh-round pick of Denver in 2015, Siemian has played in 35 NFL games, including 30 for the Broncos, Jets, Saints and Bears.
Siemian started one game for the Jets in 2019, when Sam Darnold had mono, and suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first half against the Cleveland Browns. He has thrown for 7,027 yards with 42 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in his career.
Siemian, 31, is not going to save the Jets’ season. But they needed another quarterback after losing Aaron Rodgers for the year with a torn Achilles tendon just four snaps into the season.
The Jets have been operating the last two weeks with Zach Wilson as the starter and Tim Boyle as his backup.
Wilson has struggled in his two starts. He’s led just one touchdown drive in each game, including Sunday’s 15-10 loss to the Patriots, and has drawn the ire of the fan base and legendary quarterback Joe Namath, who wants the Jets to move on from Wilson.
Robert Saleh has remained in Wilson’s corner, saying he’s the Jets’ “unquestioned quarterback” and that “he gives us the best chance to win.” The Jets will continue to let Wilson lead the offense, but in Siemian, they have a former NFL starter that they can turn to if things get worse.
Siemian has knowledge of the West Coast offense from playing for Gary Kubiak with the Broncos. Siemian, a Northwestern grad, was said to have picked up the system quickly. Siemian was one of Peyton Manning’s backups when Denver won the Super Bowl in 2015.
As a starter, Siemian is 13-17. He went 13-11 as the Broncos’ full-time starter in 2016 and 2017. He’s 0-6 since leaving Denver with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. He played two games for Chicago last season. Siemian threw for 184 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Siemian was with the Bengals during training camp this year. They released him in late August.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
