The most controversial 2016 draft pick inked his contract Thursday.
Christian Hackenberg signed his four-year rookie deal with the New York Jets, the team announced.
The 6-foot-4 quarterback out of Penn State was selected in the second round. His deal is reportedly worth $4.7 million.
The Hackenberg pick immediately led to divisive discussions about his viability as an NFL passer. After a stellar freshman collegiate season, the quarterback proved scattershot and immobile behind questionable blocking the past two years.
The selection even surprised some within the Jets own locker room.
General manager Mike Maccagnan is betting on the upside of a young signal-caller who possess many attributes lauded by NFL scouts.
"A premier-type talent like that is so hard to find," one scout told Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He could be as talented as any of these quarterbacks (in the draft). He's got the arm, the body. He's actually a competitor. But when you look at his career you say, 'Where's the production?'"
Hackenberg joins a Jets quarterback room currently comprised of Geno Smith and Bryce Petty. The Ryan Fitzpatrick situation continues to unravel in mystifying fashion.
In an ideal world, the Jets would "redshirt" Hackenberg for a season, but Maccagnan didn't rule out the rookie playing in 2016.
The Jets also announced the signing of seventh-round receiver Charone Peake out of Clemson.
