Greg McElroy is fourth on a Jets quarterback depth chart that will only have three names on it when the season starts, but he’s not looking at the next four months as an insurmountable challenge.
Instead, McElroy told Conor Orr of the Star-Ledger that he thinks competing with Mark Sanchez, David Garrard, Geno Smith and Matt Simms will be a lot of fun.
“It’s great obviously, I know competition brings out the best in everybody,” McElroy said. “I know everyone is looking forward to the competition.”
McElroy said he has no complaints about Jets G.M. John Idzik drafting Smith, and he’ll welcome Smith to the Jets’ quarterback room.
“I don’t pay much attention to the draft I know Mr. Idzik and everyone involved has a tremendous plan and has the best interest of the organization in their mind,” he said. “We’re all looking forward to having the competition.”
Realistically, McElroy has an uphill battle to make the team: Smith will definitely make the roster, Sanchez’s contract makes it unlikely he’ll be released, and Garrard seems to be the guy Idzik wants to bring some veteran stability at the quarterback position. That means McElroy is going to have a tough time getting enough practice reps to prove himself, but he says he’s not sweating it.
“You don’t worry about everything, you go out there with the reps you’re given and that’s all you an control,” McElroy said.
To prove he deserves a roster spot with the limited reps McElroy will get, he’s going to have to be great.