Former NFL QB Calls Out Jets for Ruining His Career

When Christian Hackenberg was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, there was hope that he would become the franchise quarterback the team had been searching for. However, things didn’t quite work out that way. Hackenberg never played a single snap in the NFL, and he’s now speaking out about how the Jets mishandled his development.

In a recent interview on the Ross Tucker Podcast, Hackenberg revealed that the Jets had “no plan” for him, and that he was stuck in a situation where he couldn’t grow as a quarterback. With four quarterbacks on the roster in 2016, including Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty, Geno Smith, and Hackenberg, there was little opportunity for him to develop.

“New York was probably the last place I should’ve gone, in terms of the market, the expectations, the way it was,” Hackenberg said. “You know, my rookie year, we ended up keeping four quarterbacks, so there was just not a lot of opportunity for me to develop and grow. No plan, kind of an up-and-down organization.”

Christian Hackenberg during his time with the Jets

Hackenberg’s lack of development was a major issue for him, as he knew he needed guidance and help to make the jump from Penn State to the NFL. However, he didn’t receive the support he needed, and it ultimately hurt his career.

“When I came out, I still knew that I needed a lot that I need to get better at,” Hackenberg said. “But at the same token, I had all these expectations and the narrative out there of this kid being really, really good. It was really just this battle, internally, and then externally, of messaging and how things were being portrayed that I had to deal with.”

Although Hackenberg blames the Jets for his lack of success, he also takes responsibility for not seeking out the help he needed.

“When I look at it introspectively, I was young, I needed a lot of help and I needed a lot of direction and guidance and I never sought that out,” Hackenberg said. “So that’s where my shortcoming was, I didn’t do all of those things until it was ultimately too late.”

Hackenberg’s NFL career was short-lived, with stints with the Raiders, Eagles, and Bengals, but he never found the success he was hoping for.

Christian Hackenberg during his time with the Raiders

In the end, Hackenberg’s story serves as a cautionary tale for NFL teams and quarterbacks alike. With the right guidance and support, even the most talented players can thrive. But without it, even the brightest prospects can fade away.

Christian Hackenberg during his time with the Eagles