Matt Simms moves ahead of Greg McElroy in Jets’ QB battle

Quarterback Matt Simms has mostly been known for his famous football bloodlines, but on Thursday he's making headlines for his own accomplishments. Simms has regularly been taking third-team reps in OTAs and could be establishing himself as an option ahead of third-year pro Greg McElroy, according to NFL.com.

Simms has never played in a regular season game, while McElroy started the Jets' penultimate game of 2012, throwing for 185 yards, no touchdowns and one interception against the San Diego Chargers.

While his father, Phil, won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants and his brother, Chris, played in the league from 2003 to 2010, Matt Simms hasn't had nearly as many notable accomplishments in his young football career. Simms committed to Louisville before transferring to El Camino College and then spent his final two years with the University of Tennessee. Simms lost his starting job during the 2010 season, and played only sparingly as a senior before going undrafted in 2012 and signing with the Jets.

He was waived before the season opener, with Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and McElroy ahead of him on the depth chart. It now looks like Simms and McElroy could be switching places. With the team unhappy with the performance of Sanchez and unexcited at the prospect of starting Tebow in his place, McElroy got the final nod to start after he previously completed 5-of-7 passes with a touchdown against the Cardinals in relief duty. But his start against the Chargers was lackluster, with McElroy only completing 14 of his 24 attempts in the loss.

Tebow has since been released, with David Garrard also signing for a brief time before retirement. The Jets also drafted Geno Smith in April, with many expecting that he could play right away given the competition.