The New York Jets have selected veteran Josh McCown as their starting quarterback in their Week 1 clash with the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 10. McCown edged young quarterbacks Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty in their five-month competition for the starting job. However, Jets coach Todd Bowles did not give any commitment that McCown will be the starter after Week 1 and did not announce who will back up the veteran signal-caller. Bowles pointed out that McCown, a 15-year-veteran, gives the Jets the best chance to win, saying that the veteran has the best grasp of the offense.
Bowles also commended Hackenberg and Petty for their significant improvement but currently, he stressed that McCown is the best choice as starting quarterback. McCown's last preseason action came against the Tennessee Titans where he completed three of four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Hackenberg had the best chance to steal the starting job from McCown but he failed to deliver in three preseason starts, turning 22 possessions into just nine points and threw two first-half interceptions in their 32-31 loss to the New York Giants Saturday. Petty was impressive against the Giants, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half but he suffered an MCL injury in their final drive.
Joe Flacco to return in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh assured that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco will start under center when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 of the regular season. Harbaugh’s pronouncement erased any uncertainty surrounding Flacco and his ailing back, which has sidelined him for much of training camp and preseason.
Earlier, the Ravens were reported to be interested in signing Colin Kaepernick after Flacco was sidelined with a back injury. However, after it was determined that Flacco will not be sidelined for a long period of time, the Ravens did not sign Kaepernick to a deal. Harbaugh also received a one-year contract extension from the Ravens, who did not release financial details of the deal.
Harbaugh’s original contract will expire after the 2018 season. He has been the Ravens’ head coach since 2008.
Broncos backup QB to miss several weeks
The Denver Broncos announced that backup quarterback Paxton Lynch will be out for several weeks after suffering a right shoulder sprain in their win over the Green Bay Packers. The injury came days after the Broncos picked Trevor Siemian as their starting quarterback for the second straight year.
