Who is the Jets' highest-graded QB this century?
Who is the Jets' highest-graded QB this century?
The recent history of the quarterback position with the New York Jets hasn't been ideal. They've had seven different starting QBs since 2020, and since the turn of the century (2000), they've had 21 different starters.
They've had some exciting flashes at the position along the way, with the likes of Brett Favre, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Aaron Rodgers, but no one has been able to hold down the position for the long term during this century.
Among the many QBs to start for the Jets throughout the last 25 years, which one of them had the best season?
In Pro Football Network's list of the top QB seasons from each team since 2000, they determined that Chad Pennington's season in 2002 was the best QB performance for the Jets. PFN used their QB+ metrics to compile the list, which is a formula that assigns a score and letter grade to each QB's individual performance. It includes advanced data like success rate when pressured, third-down conversion rate, production from the pocket, and performance in the clutch.
Here is what PFN said about Pennington and his standout season in 2002:
No New York Jets quarterback has come close to Chad Pennington's 90.0 QB+ score from 2002. The Marshall product shined in his first season as the full-time starter, throwing for 3,120 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also led the league in completion rate (68.9%) and passer rating (104.2).
Pennington posted a +0.27 EPA per dropback, the best mark of his career. He also had 7.5 net yards per attempt — the highest by a Jets QB this century. In tight moments, he recorded a +0.33 EPA per dropback. And while he only had 16 designed rushes, Pennington made the most of them with a +0.43 EPA per carry.
Pennington's 2002 season may not have been flashy, but his QB+ score ranked 43rd all time. The next closest Jets QB? Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2015, who ranked 206th.
For Pennington, his stellar play on the field was ultimately minimized by the injury bug. Coming in as a first-round pick in 2000 after finishing fifth in the Heisman voting, Pennington was the backup for Vinny Testaverde until he finally got his chance in 2002. Coming into the lineup for a 1-4 Jets team, Pennington led them to a 9-7 record which won the AFC East division that year.
During the preseason of 2003, Pennington broke his left wrist in what was the start of his injury downfall. He started just nine games that year and had a 4-5 record.
He signed a large contract ahead of the 2004 season and he and the team started out with a 5-0 record. In Week 9, however, he injured his rotator cuff and missed three games, but he did return for a playoff win. After the '04 season, he underwent major surgery on his shoulder, and by Week 3 of the '05 season, he re-injured the same shoulder and was ruled out for the year.
He returned in 2006, winning Comeback Player of the Year and leading the Jets to the playoffs again. But, because he couldn't return to his pre-injury form, the Jets traded him to the Dolphins in 2008. That year, he won Comeback Player of the Year again while leading the Dolphins to the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the injury bug bit again after that season. He was forced to retire from the NFL in 2012 after he suffered a torn ACL to go with the nagging shoulder problems.
Pennington finished his career with a 66% completion percentage, 17,823 passing yards, 109 total touchdowns, and 64 interceptions.
Almost 20 years after Pennington was traded to the Dolphins, the Jets are still trying to find lightning in a bottle at the QB position like Pennington offered in his breakout 2002 season.
They signed journeyman QB Justin Fields this offseason to be the latest signal caller to run the offense.
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