With the Jets season now underway with Robert Saleh as head coach and his staff appointed, all eyes are on quarterbacks.
What will the Jets do in the most important position? Will they hold a fourth season with Sam Darnold and build around him? Will they make a monster move for Texan star Deshaun Watson? Are they going to line up Zach Wilson or Justin Fields with the number 2 overall?
This is a fascinating storyline that will surely contain many twists and turns over the coming weeks and months. ESPN reported Sunday that the Jets are calling from teams interested in trading Darnold. It’s not surprising that teams are calling, but that the Jets are listening. In the middle of the 2019 season, Joe Douglas, general manager, said Darnold is invulnerable. This no longer seems to be the case.
A source said the Jets have not yet decided what to do at quarterback, and some people in the organization are in favor of Darnold being retained and others believe it’s time to move on.
If the Jets decide to trade Darnold, there are a few teams that may be interested:
Chicago Bears
The Jets may have to wait to see what happens to the Eagles and Carson Wentz before dealing with Darnold, if that’s what they decide to do. The Bears are reportedly interested in acquiring Wentz, but if the price is too high or if offered by another team, they could turn their attention to Darnold. Chicago continues with Mitch Trubisky, who was drafted the year before Darnold. The Bears currently have Nick Foles on the rankings.
The price for Darnold is much less than what the Eagles charge Wentz (apparently two first rounds). Darnold is 23 years old and had a poor cast. Someone out there is going to believe that they can get more out of him than the Jets have.
It has been speculated that the Jets could get a first round for Darnold, but a second player is more likely. The Bears pick 20th in the first round. Douglas will likely have to create a bidding war to get the choice.
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis is the other team that is believed to be hot and heavy in the pursuit of Wentz. Colts coach Frank Reich was a former Eagles assistant and worked with Wentz in his first two years. Colts GM Chris Ballard is one of the best in the area, and he may be hesitant to cough up the kind of choices the Eagles are looking for.
It will be an interesting story if the Colts finally trade for Darnold. Indianapolis traded the choice the Jets used to take Darnold to the team in 2018. The Jets picked the No. 3 overall for three picks in the second round and the No. 6 in that year.
The Colts would be a nice landing spot for Darnold. He will benefit from Reich’s coaching as well as a strong defensive and running game. He would also be reunited with former USC teammate Michael Pittman Jr.
The Colts have the number 21 pick in the draft.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco seems to have a better quarterback situation than any other team on this list, with Jimmy Garoppolo returning from injury in 2021, but reports and rumors that San Francisco is interested in trading for a quarterback have not stopped. CBS reported over the weekend that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is a fan of Darnold.
There is also a clear connection between the teams with Saleh coaching the Jets. This could create a trading package that not only deals with the concept, but that includes lesser known players that Saleh wants because of his familiarity with the roster. The Jets did some such deals with the Browns when former coach Eric Mangini was there.
Darnold will benefit from working with Shanahan, who is known as a great quarterback coach. The 49ers have the 12th pick, which seems too rich for Darnold, but a second player along with a player Saleh likes can do it.
Washington Soccer Team
The football team has a hole on the back after Dwayne Haskins washed out. Alex Smith may be back, but he does not have many years left and is not sure due to his injuries. Washington has the No. 19 pick, so this is a starting point for the Jets to ask for. Darnold could benefit from being in the same quarterback room as Smith, who accompanied Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.