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While the New York Jets seek to chart a path to follow under new coach Robert Saleh, determining the fate of the defender’s position will be among the biggest decisions the team will have to make.
The Jets intend to assess the defenders available in the draft before calling Sam Darnold, but Jets’ running back, La’Mical Perine, hopes the team will not change course.
In an appearance on the NFL Network, Perine said he wants Darnold to remain as the team’s full-back.
“Without disrespecting any of the defenders who are in the draft, but I actually had a chance to play with Sam and I was able to be on the defense with him, so I know what he brings to the team,” said Perine. “He’s a great leader, man. We just need to put good weapons around him, and he may well be successful and be one of the best defenders in this league. “
Darnold did not have a large support cast with the Jets during his first three seasons in the NFL. The Jets went 13-25 in 38 games, with Darnold as the starter. For his career, he is completing only 59.8% of his passes, with 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. But that record is not entirely attributable to Darnold, due to the difficulties of the Jets in general.
Perine has only one season playing alongside Darnold and the Jets resisted a 1-15 campaign that saw them start the season 0-13 before consecutive wins against the Los Angeles Rams and a Cleveland Browns team against COVID. With the defeat, Perine was impressed with how Darnold led the team and handled the circumstances.
“He’s a great vocal leader, he’s a great person, he’s competitive and I’m ready to wait for him,” said Perine. “I hope he will be on our team this year, being my starting defender.”