FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Three years after considering him a savior for the franchise, the New York Jets negotiated Sam Darnold with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, ending months of intense speculation about his quarterback plans.
In exchange for Darnold, choice # 3 of the general draft in 2018, the Jets were given three choices: a sixth round in the 2021 draft later this month and a second and fourth round in 2022.
Without a proven quarterback in the lineup, the Jets must select Darnold’s replacement with overall choice # 2 in the April 29 draft in Cleveland (on ESPN and the ESPN app). The main candidate is BYU’s Zach Wilson, who has met virtually several times with the chiefs of the Jets.
The organization came into conflict with the decision to split from Darnold, the sources said. Jets coach Robert Saleh spoke highly of him, saying he has “an incredible talent for the arm”. General manager Joe Douglas also praised him, but he refused to commit to Darnold last month and indicated that he was open to commercial inquiries.
Darnold has one year left on his newbie contract, with a guaranteed salary and $ 4.6 million bonus. Panthers must decide on Darnold’s fifth year option for 2022 by May 3; the predetermined amount is US $ 18.8 million, fully guaranteed. He was supposed to count $ 9.8 million at the limit of the Jets, but they will receive $ 4.8 million in relief and a $ 5 million “dead” charge in 2021.
Darnold, 23, did not meet high expectations in New York. He showed promise at the end of his debut season, but regressed with former coach Adam Gase, who was hired in 2019 – in large part – to develop the former USC star.
In three seasons, Darnold went 13-25 as a starter, with 45 touchdown passes and 39 interceptions. He completed 59.8% of his passes and never finished above 26th in the passer classification.
He finished as the lowest ranked passer in the NFL in 2020 (72.7), 36th out of 36 qualified quarterbacks. His career passer rating is 78.6, which is 39th out of 39 since 2018.
Darnold battled injuries and illnesses throughout his professional career. He lost three games as a rookie (sprained foot), three games in 2019 (mononucleosis) and four games in 2020 (twisted throwing shoulder).
To be fair, he didn’t have much stability with the Jets, as he played under the command of two coaches and two different offensive systems. He also had no 1,000-yard rushers or 1,000-yard wide receivers and played behind an ever-changing offensive line.
The Jets landed in Darnold after a highly successful negotiation a month before the 2018 draft. Determined to choose a quarterback, they moved up three places to third, sending three choices in the second round to the Indianapolis Colts.
They didn’t think Darnold would be available in third place, but the Cleveland Browns surprised by taking Baker Mayfield first overall. Running back Saquon Barkley went to the New York Giants, leaving Darnold for the Jets, who classified him as the number 1 defender of the draft.
The estate was not shy about expressing its excitement.
“I honestly think [people] will look back 20 years from now and say that this is the moment when the Jets changed to a new gear, that they became a great team, “said Jets Vice President Christopher Johnson, a few days after the draft .
Darnold started his debut day as a rookie, launching a six pick in his first pass. He settled down and beat the Detroit Lions in an explosion, thrilling fans hungry for Jets’ quarterback. He had a season of ups and downs (17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions), but there were positive aspects enough to make the organization believe it had found a long-term response.
It wasn’t until the 2020 season that questions about his future arose. Darnold struggled, injured his shoulder and the team started 0-13, putting it in contention for choice number 1 in the 2021 draft. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence speculating, Darnold led the Jets to two wins in their final three games leaving the franchise with the second choice.