Skip to content

Jets' Bowles: You'll see who starting QB is at Week 1 kickoff

Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty

When it comes to naming his Week 1 starting quarterback, New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles is holding his cards as close to his chest as possible.

With Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, and Sam Darnold contending for the job, the competition will be fierce, and Bowles doesn't plan on revealing his starter prior to the team's season opener against the Detroit Lions.

"I'm not pinpointing any decision," Bowles told reporters, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "(When) the guy runs out on the field (Monday night) in Week 1, you'll see who the starter is."

Bowles said he wants to see his players, especially his rookie, in actual football games before making the call.

"You got to play preseason games," Bowles said. "I'm not into hypotheticals and nothing that hasn't happened yet, but we are going to let (Darnold) play, then after the fourth preseason (game), sometime that week I'll make my decision and go from there."

Darnold reportedly has a "very fair shot" to claim the Week 1 starting job in New York, but he has a tough fight ahead of him.

McCown started 13 games for the Jets in 2017, setting career highs in passing yards and touchdowns, while Bridgewater was signed to a one-year contract in March and will be looking to prove himself.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox