Kellen Clemens

Quarterback Kellen Clemens plays for the New York Jets in the National Football League. Clemens was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Jets. He spent his college football years with the Oregon Ducks.

Despite his high draft standing, Clemens has only started eight games for the Jets since his drafting in 2007. Clemens is currently the backup to recent first round draft selection, Mark Sanchez. As of April 8, 2010 Clemens is a restricted free agent who hasn’t signed his tender sheet, as he is looking for any opportunity to get a starting job somewhere. He hasn't succeeded though, as the market is relatively thin and no one has shown the faith in his abilities to take a chance on him. He will likely sign the offer sheet and remain a Jet coming into the 2010 season.

Before the 2009 season, Clemens participated in a competition for the Jets starting QB battle, with highly touted draft pick Mark Sanchez. Clemens lost out after a subpar preseason, and it is believed the opportunity to start in the NFL at all for Clemens was lost with his showing in the 2009 preseason. Clemens played in two games in 2009 (started in one), when Mark Sanchez injured his knee on a run in Buffalo. He was unimpressive in his showing, completing only 50% of his passes, and accounting for zero touchdowns. In his lone start (a Jets win over Tampa Bay), Clemens went 12/23 with 111 yards and zero touchdowns.

In a trend that has defined Clemens career to date, he was in a competition for the Jets starting QB position with former Jet Chad Pennington. By all accounts, Pennington was going to win the job. Then the Jets traded for Brett Favre pretty much ending any chance Clemens had to win the starting job. He, in turn, never saw the field as future Hall of Famer Brett Favre took every snap for the Jets in 2008.