New York Jets to work out QBs Josh Johnson, Sean Mannion

The Jets set their sights on QB help

As Joe Douglas and the New York Jets continue to duel with Zach Wilson on contract matters, the team has begun to search for more reinforcements at the quarterback position.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Jets will work out free-agent quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Sean Mannion on Thursday.

With Zach Wilson unsigned and the team still in need of another veteran QB anyway, the Jets are scheduled to work out QBs Josh Johnson and Sean Mannion on Thursday, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2021

Josh Johnson makes his New York return

Johnson, 35, is back for his third stint in the New York area. He spent time with the Jets in the 2015 offseason, playing one preseason game, and he also played with the Giants in the 2017 preseason.

Should he join the Jets, the San Diego product would be entering his 20th stint since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, which includes appearances in the United Football League (Sacramento Mountain Lions), Alliance of American Football (San Diego Fleet), and the XFL (Los Angeles Wildcats). He has played with 13 different NFL teams, having multiple stints with two of those. The Jets would be his third multi-stint team.

Johnson offers some familiarity with Mike LaFleur‘s scheme. He was signed to the 49ers’ practice squad last November. San Francisco released Johnson in June.

Over 33 career regular-season appearances (8 starts, 1-7 record), Johnson has completed 148 of 268 passes (55.2%) for eight touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and 1,632 yards, earning a 61.7 passer rating. His last regular-season action came with Washington in 2018, posting a 1-2 record over three starts to go with a 69.4 passer rating.

In 2019, Johnson played three preseason games with the Lions, throwing one touchdown and one interception over 43 attempts while recording a 75.0 passer rating.

Sean Mannion comes from the Shanahan coaching tree

Mannion, 29, should also offer some knowledge of LaFleur’s offense. He played under Sean McVay with the Rams from 2017-19. Like LaFleur, McVay hails from the Shanahan coaching tree.

A third-round pick of the then-St. Louis Rams in 2015, Mannion stayed with the organization until 2019. The Oregon State product spent the last two seasons with the Vikings.

Over 13 career regular-season games (2 starts, 0-2 record), Mannion has completed 45 of 74 passes (60.8%) for zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and 384 yards, culminating in a 57.5 passer rating.