The Jets signed former Broncos and Vikings QB Trevor Siemian to a one-year deal Wednesday, securing a backup for Sam Darnold.
Siemian will replace Josh McCown on New York’s depth chart after backing up Kirk Cousins with the Vikings. A former starter in Denver, Siemian gives the Jets an experienced No. 2 QB who can adequately step in for Darnold if necessary. Of course, the Jets are hoping that never has to happen. A perfect season for Siemian would be one in which he doesn’t play, which is exactly what happened last year in Minnesota.
Still, let’s take some time to get to know the Jets’ newest addition.
Super Bowl 50 Champion
Trevor Siemian spent his first season on the Denver Broncos backing up both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler. The only game action he saw during that season was taking a knee during a Broncos win against the Steelers in December.
Under Manning’s direction, the Broncos went on to win Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. Siemian was inactive for the game, but he still got a ring.
The hope is that he is able to get back to the big game with New York.
Former Starter
Following Peyton Manning’s retirement and Brock Osweiler signing with the Houston Texans in free agency, Trevor Siemian won the Broncos starting quarterback job in 2016.
In an open competition, Siemian beat out former Jets QB Mark Sanchez and rookie Paxton Lynch. During his two seasons as a starter, Siemian started 25 out of 32 possible games.
Siemian completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 5,686 yards, throwing 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He was named an alternate to the 2017 Pro Bowl but declined due to an injury.
His career in Denver was derailed due to poor play and injuries. The Broncos signed Case Keenum last offseason and Siemian was subsequently shipped off to Minnesota to back up Kirk Cousins.
Mr. Olympia
Siemian was an outstanding athlete at Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida.
As the starting quarterback on the football team, he threw for an Orange County record of 6,144 career yards and 53 touchdowns in three seasons.
He was also an outstanding shortstop, third baseman and outfielder for the baseball team and was voted Mr. Olympia by his classmates during his senior year.
A Northwestern Great
Siemian chose to play college football at Northwestern, passing on Rutgers, North Carolina State and Harvard.
Even though Siemian only started 14 career games, he finished fourth all-time at Northwestern with 5,931 yards and 550 completions. He also finished sixth in offensive yards with 5,098 and seventh in passing touchdowns with 27.
His success at Northwestern led him to be drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft.
