EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - For the majority of the Jets' game against Buffalo Sunday, Christian Hackenberg stood patiently on the sideline, edging as close to the field as he could possibly be. He had an earbud in one ear and spoke throughout most of the game via an attached walkie-talkie. Hackenberg was in the role as the team's backup quarterback.

Late in the fourth quarter with his team's defense on the field, the Jets' second-round draft pick huddled with starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and an assistant coach, seemingly getting ready to see his first action of the season. There was a noticeable sense of anticipation in Met Life Stadium to see Hackenberg make his debut. At the time, the Jets held a commanding 30-10 lead.But the Lake Hauto native never got the chance.On the surface, it was the end of an apparent uneventful rookie season for the former Penn State product, as he was activated for the first time during the final week of the season.Yet, Hackenberg hasn't viewed his rookie season as a total loss. Instead, it was a year of study, a period he truly hasn't ever experienced."It was good," noted Hackenberg about his first game dressed this season. "I have been able to do a lot of similar things being inactive, but it was cool to have this kind of experience today. I was happy that I finally got a chance to do it this year."Jets' head coach Todd Bowles indicated earlier in the week that Hackenberg would likely only see action due to an injury."It was just a matter of being ready," he added. "One nick, one hit and I could be in there. I knew I had to be ready. I wouldn't say that I was anxious, but I was a little bit more locked in than normal."It was a different type of focus, a different type of approach instead of walking around in sweats and asking questions. I just tried to be a little bit more diversified today I just wanted to stay in Fitz's (Fitzpatrick) hip pocket and see what he saw out there."Hackenberg hasn't been without some action this season. He played in the Jets' preseason final in Philadelphia and completed just 11 of 31 passes for 54 yards. His performance drew the wrath of critics who have questioned him as a second-round pick.Prior to Sunday's game against the Bills, two New York area major newspapers cited team sources that criticized his mechanics.Still, Hackenberg has understood his role with the team since training camp."It's hard to look back and have any regrets," he said. "A redshirt year for me has been the plan from the first day of camp, and being able to learn and grow and get comfortable and understand how things work, I did that, and it has been a good situation."Bowles believed Hackeberg needed a year to watwatch learn the rigors and challenges of being an NFL quarterback."The idea was to put him on the shelf regardless and let him get better going in," he said. "(Hackenberg) wasn't going to come in and then beat out the two guys that were ahead of him, or three guys that were ahead of him. He can use some mechanical work, and he got better as the year went on."Hackenberg will enter the offseason as one of only two quarterbacks on the current Jets' roster. Bryce Petty, another high pick three years ago, took over the starting spot from Fitzpatrick, but he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury two weeks ago. Fitzpatrick and injured backup Geno Smith will be free agents in the offseason.He is looking forward to his chance next season and is cherishing the moment."It's great just being here," said Hackenberg. "I feel good about everything. There are a lot of different ways to define progress, and I feel like I have grown along the way."