Joe,
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits, despite the less than ideal start to a big season. I wish you, your staff and the players a great game this weekend as you look to get back.
I’m obviously writing this in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers. I know the ambition this season was and still is to win a championship, and that Hall of Fame-sized hole needs to be filled as best we can to keep the team on a Super Bowl circuit.
As of now, Zach Wilson is charged with that task, and I wish him and the rest of the team the best for the future. However, I know there are depth issues at the position right now, and I’ve heard the backup spot will likely be filled by a veteran quarterback.
As much as I would love to fill that spot, I am writing to you in the hope that you can imagine a very different approach involving me; I would be honored and very grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad.
I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defenses ready each week. If I could fulfill this role for the team, I think it would make several things possible.
1. It gives your defense the advantage of better understanding the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks you’ll face in weeks 4, 5 and 6 (Mahomes, Wilson and Hurts). I would consider it a privilege to do this and would take on this responsibility with dedication and passion as if it were the QB1 position.
2. This would also allow you as an organization to really see where I stand football-wise, in match-like situations against an elite defense, while also not putting any competitive pressure on Zach.
I understand how important it is to keep him confident and focused as QB1, and I would only want to increase that confidence in all interactions we have if I were to take on this role on the team.
In a perfect world for the Jets, Zach Wilson finds his way and shows he’s capable of leading this championship-caliber team you’ve put together to the Super Bowl.
I believe a confident Zach Wilson has the tools to do this. However, if this is not the case, I am happy to offer you a risk-free contingency plan.
I’m confident I can provide you with an elite QB option if, God forbid, QB1 goes down. However, I know that you and possibly others may have ambiguities about my playing qualities.
I believe this plan will allow me to provide great service to the team as a practice squad QB, while also giving you the opportunity to evaluate my abilities to assist in any other capacity you deem necessary.
Worst case scenario, you see what I have to offer and aren’t that impressed. At best, you realize you have a real weapon at your disposal in case you ever need it. In either scenario, I would be committed to getting your defense ready week in and week out, all season long, and I would wear that responsibility like a badge of honor.
As a final point I would like to add this. Unlike many of the veteran QBs mentioned in the media, I never retired or stopped coaching. My training schedule has been the same for 6 years; Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. training on the field and in the weight room.
I have followed this training regimen without fail for the past 6 years, hoping that an opportunity would present itself. I say this to give you some perspective on where I am physically.
I have also included a list of my references within the league who vouch for my character, work ethic and ability.
Thank you very much for your time.