The Jets followed the Green Bay model of quarterback development so closely that they drafted another Jordan to learn under Aaron Rodgers.
To be fair, Jordan Travis, the Jets’ fifth-round pick in last week’s draft, shares the same name as Jordan Love, who spent his first three years with the Packers and was great last season. , more of a coincidence than anything else. Behind Rodgers on the bench.
Travis is expected to start as a third-stringer while he recovers from a serious injury, but he also envisions taking over the reins from Rodgers in the future.
“I think about it a lot,” Travis said Saturday after rookie minicamp.
But does he believe he can start in this league?
“100 percent,” Travis said confidently.
As the Jets’ other five quarterbacks threw passes, which the Jets haven’t put much effort into over the past two days, Travis stood to the side holding the football and pretending to pump it.
He also rode a stationary bike during other parts of practice as he continues to rehabilitate a broken foot he suffered at Florida State last November.
“I’m really grateful to have the ball in my hands again and a helmet on my head,” Travis said. “Watching them pitch, I love watching them compete.”
But the struggle between being patient and giving in to competitive instincts is constant.
“I entered the stretch line. [Friday] And they dragged me out,” Travis quipped. “I’m trying to get out of there.”
Travis started his final 17 college games, threw 20 touchdowns and two interceptions, and was named the 2023 ACC Player of the Year. Had he entered the draft healthy, he never would have been able to get the No. 171 pick, especially if it changed the outcome of Michigan’s College Football Playoff championship.
“We feel like he’s like a ball of clay,” head coach Robert Saleh said. “College style and their crazy schemes are more tailored to what they can and can’t do rule-wise. Footwork and slow motion and things that process and work in an NFL offense. , so there’s a lot of things that we feel like we can build on, like getting under center and controlling the huddle. [his] Exercise capacity. ”
Saleh’s hope is that Travis will be able to practice in time for training camp in late July.
“We’re trying to get ready as soon as possible,” Travis said. “Obviously that’s the goal, but I also want to be 100 percent.”
Former Florida State receiver Keon Coleman, who was drafted by the Bills with the first pick in the second round, appeared on “RG3 and The Ones” and said that Travis was “the best quarterback in the nation even though he was just drafted.” ” he said. Podcast with former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. He paid tribute to Travis across the lines of the AFC East rivalry.
“As a leader, I’m the same person every day,” Travis said. “Be consistent in everything you do. A man who works hard is never late for anything and treats everyone with respect.”
Before the draft, Jets general manager Joe Douglas drafted, developed, and traded future starting quarterbacks Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselbeck, and Aaron Brooks during coach Brett Favre’s tenure, then Rodgers. He said he hopes to build a “quarterback factory” like the Packers did by having him wait. Love was behind Favre, just as he eventually became Rodgers’ successor.
Favre (2008) and Rodgers (2023) both went to the Jets.
Travis fits the bill as a value pick with high upside.
“I love adversity,” Travis said. “I love waking up every day and having to make a choice. It just makes the story even cooler. There was never a question in my mind.”
The plan is for Travis to learn under Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor (who influenced Baker Mayfield and Justin Herbert as rookies) and complete a comeback story in the future.
“I watch every little thing they do,” Travis said. “Obviously I’m going to ask a lot of questions. You’ve had two great quarterbacks in front of you and I’ve respected them for a long time. How they treat their teammates, how they’re on the field. I’m looking forward to seeing how they carry themselves outside and on the field and picking their brains every day.”
