FLORHAM PARK, NJ – As he prepares for what could be his final game with the New York Jets, Sam Darnold seems to know where the organization can find its long-term answer in the quarterback.
Staying with him.
Despite his worst season of statistics, Darnold said on Thursday that he hopes to stay with the Jets and believes he could become a defender in the franchise.
“I absolutely believe that my best days are yet to come,” said Darnold, 23, who was chosen third overall in 2018.
Darnold fell short of expectations – 13-24 as a starter – fueling speculation that the Jets will switch him and choose his replacement with second choice in the 2021 draft of the NFL.
He insisted that Sunday is not approaching as a possible last game. The Jets (2-13), winners of two consecutive matches, face the New England Patriots (6-9) on the road.
“I’m a Jet now,” said Darnold. “I know we all like to think about hypotheses and what if, but I’m a Jet now. I love being here. I love the guys in the locker room. I love going to work every day here.”
Darnold said he did not speak with general manager Joe Douglas about his future. He has one year left on his newbie contract, with a fifth year option for 2022 to be exercised by the beginning of May.
What complicates their future is the lack of development, in addition to a privileged position in recruitment. With the second choice, the Jets could take Justin Fields from Ohio State or Zach Wilson from BYU and become Darnold for draft choices.
Much will depend on who is training the team. Adam Gase is expected to be fired after the game and his replacement will have a say in the quarterback’s decision.
“I think there were periods when I didn’t play as well as I should, and I will be the first to admit that,” said Darnold.
Darnold is the lowest scoring passer in the NFL (72.3), with only eight touchdown passes and nine interceptions, but he is putting together a streak of three consecutive games as the best of his career, with no turnover.
“That’s where Sam’s growth came in the past few weeks,” said offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. “He knows, ‘Save the cover. You don’t have to be Superman.'”
Gase said the sequence without a turnover is “a big step forward. I would love for him to have more games of three and four touchdowns? Sure, but that’s not something we can necessarily control, right?”
Darnold’s decision-making, precision and footwork need work, according to Gase, who said it is unfair to criticize him for offensive fights. At the beginning of the season, Darnold was playing for the wide receivers of the second and third streak because of injuries.
Gase admitted that he did a terrible job training the attack. At the same time, Darnold acknowledged that he did not help his coach.
Darnold considered this the most challenging year of his football career since high school.
“Yes, I would say yes,” said Darnold, who also dealt with a sprained shoulder that kept him off the pitch for four games. “I had some difficult seasons in high school, but this was definitely a difficult season.”