WATCH: Why Trevor Siemian is equipped to keep Jets afloat
While many are ready to push the panic button, there actually remains hope this season for the New York Jets -- as long as their backup quarterback performs to his potential.
On Thursday, New York Jets head coach Adam Gase announced that quarterback Sam Darnold has mononucleosis, and will miss the Monday night showdown with the Cleveland Browns -- at minimum.
Darnold's absence comes at an inopportune time for the Jets, who just dropped their season opener in heartbreaking fashion to a divisional foe. To make matters worse, they now face a hungry Browns team coming off a humbling loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Matchups against the surging New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles also loom.
However, capable fifth-year pro Trevor Siemian is up for the task. Gase expressed confidence that Siemian can hold down the fort because of the quarterback's leadership.
"I think it's great for our other players because he's not a panic guy, he's got a coolness about him and when things change at that position sometimes other guys can panic a little, but when you have a guy that is really calm and steady, then that calms everybody else down," Gase said.
With 24 career starts, 5,686 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions under his belt, the 27-year-old signal caller is well equipped to handle the bright lights on Monday Night Football.
Once looked at as the long-term solution on the Denver Broncos, Siemian experienced the typical growing pains you would expect from a young quarterback in his first NFL stop.
Siemian struggled with the mental processing aspect of the position, working through his progressions, and getting rid of the football when under duress. Siemian operated a stagnant offense that labored its way down the field each week and rarely pushed the ball down the field.
Traded to the Minnesota Vikings in March 2018, Siemian was afforded the opportunity to sit behind Kirk Cousins. Siemian's lone season behind the Vikings' starter offered him a chance to learn the finer nuances of the position and become proficient in a new offensive system. The game had finally slowed down.
"You just get perspective, I think," Siemian said. "No player wants to bounce around and play for a bunch of teams, but on the positive side, you get to see different players, good players, good coaches and what makes them so good. We're all a combination of our experiences. So, little things here and there pickup and add to my game and see what works and go from there."
Don't get me wrong, the Jets are a much better football team with Darnold at the helm. Siemian's dink and dunk approach leaves little room for error and he can't extend plays out of the pocket -- but his accuracy and decision making has improved over the years.
Expect a run-heavy approach on Monday night, but don't be surprised if Siemian's veteran savvy trumps Baker Mayfield's moxie under the bright lights.
