The New York Jets find themselves in a precarious situation as they scramble to secure a veteran quarterback to fill the void left by the unfortunate season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers, who tore his Achilles tendon. In their quest to find a seasoned signal-caller, the Jets surprised many by reaching out to a former Super Bowl champion. However, this champion is not the household name you might expect.
According to sports reporter Jordan Schultz, the Jets have made inquiries about the availability of Chad Henne, who officially retired from professional football after the last season. Henne, at 38 years old, spent the last five seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, primarily serving as the backup to the superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. During his time with the Chiefs, Henne achieved remarkable success, contributing to the team’s triumph in two Super Bowls. Despite limited on-field action, he demonstrated his value to Kansas City.
One of the standout moments of Henne’s career came in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs when he stepped in for Mahomes, who had suffered an ankle injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Henne’s leadership led the Chiefs on a crucial touchdown drive. Additionally, in the 2020 playoffs, Henne played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ victory over the Cleveland Browns with a crucial completed pass.
Throughout his tenure with the Chiefs, Henne completed 41 of 59 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns in regular-season games. His NFL journey began in 2008 when he was drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins. Over the course of his career as a starting quarterback, Henne amassed an 18-36 record. However, what makes Henne particularly appealing to the Jets is his connection with Nathaniel Hackett, the team’s offensive coordinator.
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Henne’s stint as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback from 2012 to 2017 coincided with Hackett’s time as an offensive coach for the same team during the final three seasons of Henne’s Jacksonville tenure. The Jets are reportedly keen on acquiring players who are already familiar with Hackett’s offensive system. This strategy aims to facilitate a smooth transition for the quarterback stepping into the team’s starting role. Therefore, in addition to Henne, the Jets are considering other quarterbacks who have previously worked under Hackett.
Players like Brett Rypien, Josh Johnson, and Brandon Allen, who have experience with Hackett’s offensive scheme, could become realistic targets for the Jets. The team’s decision to explore these options reflects their commitment to finding a quarterback who can quickly adapt to the system and contribute effectively.
In their pursuit of a seasoned quarterback to replace Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets have cast a wide net, even considering unconventional candidates like Chad Henne. Time will tell if this unexpected choice will pay off and provide the Jets with the stability and experience they need in their quest for success.
