FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Three years after considering himself a franchise savior, the New York Jets traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers on Monday, ending months of intense speculation about their quarterback plans.
In exchange for Darnold, the number 3 overall draft pick in 2018, the Jets got three picks: a sixth player in the 2021 draft later this month and a second and fourth player in 2022.
Without a proven quarterback on the rankings, the Jets are expected to pick Darnold’s replacement with the No. 2 overall pick in the April 29 draft in Cleveland (on ESPN and the ESPN app). The leading candidate is Zach Wilson of BYU, who has met with the Jets’ buyer virtually several times.
The organization was at odds with the decision to divorce Darnold, sources said. Jets coach Robert Saleh spoke highly of him, saying he had ‘incredible arm talent’.
“I want to publicly acknowledge the dedication, dedication and professionalism that Sam displayed during the Jets,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said in a statement. ‘He’s a hard-nosed, talented footballer whose NFL story has yet to be written. While all of these things are true, this step is in the short and long term interest for both this team and him. We thank Sam for all his work on behalf of this organization and wish him well as he continues his career. ‘
Darnold has another year on his rookie contract, with a guaranteed salary and bonuses totaling $ 4.6 million. The Panthers must decide by May 3 on Darnold’s fifth-year option for 2022; the predetermined amount is $ 18.8 million, fully guaranteed. He would count $ 9.8 million on the Jets cap, but they would get $ 4.8 million in relief and a $ 5 million ‘dead’ cost for 2021.
The Panthers plan to discuss the exercise of Darnold’s fifth-year option with his agent, a league source told ESPN’s David Newton. The Jets did not use the option.
Carolina wants to upgrade from Teddy Bridgewater (quarter) since the end of last season. The Panthers presented Bridgewater and the overall number 8 to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford, who was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Panthers were also interested in dealing with Deshaun Watson, league sources told Newton before the Houston full-back of Texas was accused of sexual assault and misconduct in 22 different lawsuits.
Carolina signed Bridgewater last year for a three-year, $ 63 million contract that is in fact a two-year deal due to the structure. Bridgewater plans to count $ 22.9 million against this year’s salary cap, with only $ 2.9 million in savings against the 2021 budget if they reduced it to June 1.
Darnold, 23, did not live up to expectations in New York. He showed promise at the end of his rookie season, but he fell back under former coach Adam Gase, who was appointed in 2019 – mainly – to develop the former USC star.
In three seasons, Darnold went 13-25 as an appetizer, with 45 passes and 39 interceptions. He completed 59.8% of his passes and never finished above 26th place in passersby.
He finished as the NFL’s lowest scorer in 2020 (72.7), 36th out of 36 qualifying backs. His career rating is 78.6, which is 39th out of 39 since 2018.
Darnold has struggled with injuries and illness during his pro career. He missed three games as a rookie (sprained foot), three games in 2019 (mononucleosis) and four games in 2020 (sprained shoulder).
To be honest, he did not have much stability with the Jets, as he played under two head coaches and two different offensive systems. He also had no 1000 drivers or 1000 receivers, and he played behind an ever-changing offensive line.
The Jets landed Darnold after a trade one month before the 2018 draft. They were determined to pick a quarterback, and moved up three spots to No. 3 and sent three second-round picks to the Indianapolis Colts.
They did not think Darnold would be available at No. 3, but the Cleveland Browns drew a surprise by Baker Mayfield overall no. 1 to fetch. Saquon Barkley, running rugby, went to the New York Giants and left Darnold for the Jets, earning him the no.
Ownership was not ashamed to express its excitement.
‘I honestly think [people] going to look back 20 years from now and say it’s the moment the Jets switched to a new gear, that they became an excellent team, “Jets vice president Christopher Johnson said a few days after the draft.
Darnold started the day as a rookie, picking his first pass a six. He sat down and beat the Detroit Lions in a blast, stirring up the Jets’ fan base with a famine. He had an up-and-down season (17 touches, 15 interceptions), but there were enough positive things to make the organization believe it had found a long-term answer.
Only in the 2020 season did questions about his future emerge. Darnold struggled, injured his shoulder, and the team started 0-13, setting it for the No. 1 pick in the 2021 series. With Trevor Lawrence’s quarterback speculation, Darnold led the Jets to two wins in their last three games, leaving the franchise with the No. 2 pick.