Christian Hackenberg made his way back to the football field Sunday, but the results were not pretty.
The former Jets quarterback made his Alliance of American Football debut for the Memphis Express on Sunday. Hackenberg struggled in the startup developmental league, finishing the game 10-23 for 87 yards and an interception. He did have what would have been a beautiful touchdown throw, but it was called back because of a formation penalty.
“I saw that he has to get better,” Express head coach Mike Singletary said of Hackenberg’s performance. “That’s the bottom line.”
Singletary didn’t name Hackenberg his starter for Week 2, but he also didn’t say he would be replaced either.
Hackenberg is trying to remake himself in the AAF after a failed career in the NFL. He was a second-round pick by the Jets’ in 2016 out of Penn State. He saw some time in the preseason in his two years with New York, but never got any regular season action. His reputation as one of Gang Green’s all-time busts was cemented well before the 23-year-old was traded to the Oakland Raiders in May 2018. Three weeks later, Hackenberg was cut.
The Eagles then gave Hackenberg a shot in August. He appeared in one preseason game — against the Jets — and was dreadful. Philadelphia cut him as well. The last NFL team that took a chance on Hackenberg was the Bengals. He was on their practice squad for two months before being released in November.
Now, with the help of former NFL QB coach David Lee, Hackenberg is trying to improve his mechanics in the AAF, though they looked far from fixed Sunday.
“I don’t think I’ve thrown the football this good ever,” Hackenberg told Penn Live prior to his debut. “Like, I wish I had this five years ago. But the good news is I’m 23, I’m sure I can do it and I did it. Now it’s just about going out and playing.”
