The 2023 season for the New York Jets was over before it started, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers going down with a torn Achilles just four plays into the season.
Given Rodgers’ age and injury, it made sense for the Jets to take a flier on a high-upside young quarterback in the draft, which is exactly what they did when they selected Florida State standout Jordan Travis in the fifth round.
General manager Joe Douglas went on “The Official Jets Podcast” recently and said he was “concerned” that another QB run was coming and that they were in danger of missing out on Travis, adding he was “the guy that we just didn’t want to miss out on,” (via Paul Andrew Esden Jr.).
Douglas called Travis a “dynamic weapon” and an “unbelievable leader” which were reasons Douglas felt the need to trade up into the fifth round and secure his guy.
Travis just turned 24 and played six years in college, capping off his run with 20 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions last season at Florida State before his season ended prematurely due to a fractured ankle. He also added seven rushing touchdowns for the fourth consecutive year.
Travis will now have the luxury of learning behind one of the game’s all-time greats in Rodgers, who is reportedly much more fond of this pick than he was in Green Bay when the Packers took Jordan Love in the first round.
New York was in the market for a backup quarterback anyway, as former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson was recently traded to the Denver Broncos.
