If the 2020 NFL season wasn’t going to be challenging enough for the New York Jets, the COVID-19 pandemic will create even more headaches. Amid the uncertainty of playing football during a health crisis, the Jets are discussing a plan that could save them from a disaster scenario.
Adam Gase: New York Jets have ‘talked about’ quarterback quarantine for 2020 season
As we’ve seen already during the 2020 MLB season, rosters can change quickly and depth can evaporate in an instant if there’s a COVID-19 outbreak. Given the importance of the quarterback position in the NFL, teams are already planning out how to handle the position if one of their passers tests positive for the coronavirus.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Jets head coach Adam Gase revealed the organization has talked about placing a quarterback in quarantine this season.
The Jets aren’t the only team considering the unique approach to the quarterback position. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians revealed in June that his club is discussing keeping a quarterback quarantined this fall.
New York will head into training camp with five quarterbacks on its roster, but that will likely be reduced to three when the season begins. Sam Darnold and Joe Flacco would likely be kept out of isolation, but David Fales might be an option to be kept away from the team.
Under those circumstances, the third-string quarterback would likely be kept away from the quarterback room. Then if the worst-case scenario happens and the starter and No. 2 quarterback contract the coronavirus, a team will still have another option ready to step in.