Did you know that Chad Pennington ranks No. 1 on the all-time NFL QB list for completion percentage at 65.6 percent?
Well, that number wasn’t as important to the New York Jets as 4.8 million and 7.8 million. The former number was the salary Pennington was due this year and the latter was his salary cap number with the Jets, who let Pennington go Thursday as they worked themselves under the cap to absorb Brett Favre’s salary.
Pennington was 1-7 as the starter in New York last year, throwing for 1,765 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Jets' first-round pick in the 2000 draft, Pennington was 32-29 as a starter in his career with a passer rating of 88.9. He took the team to the playoffs three times: 2002, 2004 and 2006.
So there will be a market for the 32-year-old. The Dolphins, Vikings, Chiefs, Bears and Bucs are reportedly the leading candidates to land him. Here’s a breakdown of those five clubs and their chances of getting Pennington:
Dolphins: Miami wasted no time in contacting Pennington’s agent. New Dolphins boss Bill Parcells was the guy who drafted him with the 18th overall pick in 2000 when Parcells was Jets' general manager.
"From what I've heard about him, I've only heard that he's a very intelligent player," Miami coach Tony Sparano said. "And he's always been pretty accurate, with what he did with the ball. I know the guy's a competitor."
Sparano has said that he’s happy with his current three quarterbacks, Josh McCown, John Beck and rookie Chad Henne. All three have struggled somewhat in camp, however, with Henne reportedly looking the best. And you know Parcells doesn’t want to open the season with a rookie QB.
Wouldn’t it be something to see Pennington starting for Miami on Week 1 – against the Jets? Consider Miami the favorite to land him, as Pennington no doubt would like to stick it to the Jets.
Chiefs: Coach Herman Edwards is the former coach of the Jets, and while the team is committed to Brodie Croyle as the starter, Pennington would seem to be a better No. 2 than Tyler Thigpen or Damon Huard. Edwards’ good relationship with Pennington makes the Chiefs the second favorites to get him.
Bears: Sure, Chicago could use someone a little more stable than Rex Grossman and more experienced than Kyle Orton. And the Bears don’t really have a third quarterback, so they could add Pennington and not really have to dump anyone. However, Pennington is basically the same kind of quarterback as Orton: An effective short-range thrower but awful on deep balls. Don’t expect Pennington in the Windy City.Bucs: Frankly, the Bucs don’t need Pennington, and they already have five quarterbacks in camp. Yes, Chris Simms will be gone soon, but is Pennington an upgrade over Brian Griese as the backup to Jeff Garcia? No. Never rule out Jon Gruden when it comes to quarterbacks, but hard to see Pennington wanting to go to Tampa.
Vikings: Now this makes the most sense. Pennington could be the consolation prize after the team couldn’t land Favre, and Pennington would be more consistent than Tarvaris Jackson. In addition, the Vikings are the best of the five teams listed here. Still, reports out of Minnesota say that Vikings officials believe in Jackson and don’t think Pennington is an upgrade over Gus Frerotte at No. 2. So no sale here.
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