In search of a third camp quarterback, the New York Jets have turned to spring football legend Adrian Martinez
The New York Jets have been actively searching for a third quarterback all offseason. With Jordan Travis recovering from an injury and unlikely to return anytime soon, the team has been looking for a camp body and a potential practice squad quarterback with some developmental upside. UDFA Andrew Peasley won the job at rookie minicamp, but his lackluster performance early in camp has the team looking for a replacement.
They worked out former Jaguars practice squad QB E.J. Perry on Friday but opted not to sign him. They did sign UDFA Ben Bryant, who started for Northwestern last season. Less than 24 hours later, Bryant was cut. That’s because the team has announced they’ve come to terms with the exciting Adrian Martinez.
We've signed QB Adrian Martinez and CB Kendall Sheffield.
We've released CB Nehemiah Shelton and QB Ben Bryant.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 27, 2024
Martinez went undrafted in 2023 but got a chance to go to training camp with the Detroit Lions. However, he was one of the last players cut and didn’t break camp with the team. When no team chose to add him to their practice squad, he took his talent to the newly formed UFL and the Birmingham Stallions.
Despite starting the season as the backup to Matt Corral, it wouldn’t be long before Martinez took the starting job. Martinez wound up completing 58.5% of his passes for 7.6 yards per attempt, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for another 528 yards and three touchdowns. His performance was enough to earn UFL MVP honors, and he helped lead the Stallions to a 25-0 win in the UFL Championship over the San Antonio Brahmas.
Martinez isn’t the most accurate passer, but as he showed in the UFL, he has the talent to play on an NFL roster. With Travis out injured, this is a chance for Martinez – still only 24 years old, the same age as Travis – to show he belongs.
While it’s unlikely Martinez will break camp with the team, given Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor’s stranglehold on the top two spots, Martinez could earn himself a hefty raise by landing on the practice squad. Then next year? Who knows, maybe it’s Martinez and Travis battling it out for a much more substantial role on the team.
