Former Florida State and current New York Jets quarterback Jordan Travis announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday afternoon.
My first thought was that he could venture into coaching now that his playing days are over, since the severe leg injury that he suffered on November 18, 2023, during the North Alabama contest was something that he couldn't bounce back from.
Travis was one of the more fascinating stories to never give up and effectively respond to adversity. The signal-caller was once viewed by the fan base as someone who "can't throw fifteen yards down the field".
Travis continuously talked during his time with the Seminoles about how he wanted to end his career, but he credits head football coach Mike Norvell and then-offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham.
The West Palm Beach native had his fair share of adversity in Tallahassee, where he dealt with nagging injuries (that later foreshadowed into a major one in 2023). His progression as a passer was fascinating to see.
From 2020 to 2021, he elevated his completion percentage from 55% to 62.9% and added 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. From that point on, Travis gained confidence in himself, where he combined for 5,970 passing yards and 44 touchdowns with only seven interceptions in 2023 and 2024 combined.
As much as I hate to see his professional playing career end sooner than he would've liked, I think he will be a phenomenal coach. With that said, I know that head football coach Mike Norvell would take him on the assistant coach staff instantly, and he would become a fan-favorite even if it were an analyst role.
However, one team I am watching for in the potential coaching sweepstakes is Arizona State since his former offensive coordinator (Kenny Dillingham) is the head football coach there, who primarily worked with the quarterbacks during that time.
If I had to pick which direction it would be, I think he ends up going to Arizona State for now and then returns to Florida State when he gets his feet wet in coaching.