Sam Darnold is not the answer for the Jets.
The goal of every single NFL team is to win a Super Bowl, and if that’s not possible, at least be a consistent playoff team.
With Darnold, I believe it is possible for the second to maybe be reached however, I don’t believe that the first is possible.
This isn’t really a knock on Darnold but more Jets former GM Mike Maccagnan, and Jets leadership for not firing him soon enough.
The last six quarterbacks to lead their teams to the Super Bowl have been Patrick Mahomes, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jared Goff, Tom Brady (3x), and Carson Wentz (although he didn’t play).One thing to notice between those quarterbacks (excluding Jimmy Garoppolo), is that all the quarterbacks were either quarterbacks on their rookie deals, or Tom Brady.
Darnold certainly is not Tom Brady and unfortunately for Darnold it looks like the Jets have wasted his the prime period for a team to make a run, his rookie contract.Maccagnan’s incompetence and inability to build a great roster around Darnold has eliminated any chance the Jets can win playoff games on Darnold’s rookie contract.
With Adams being traded before the year, and Mosley opting out, it is clear that 2020 will not be the year for Darnold.
2021 is the last year that Darnold will be on his rookie contract, and that’s if he doesn’t ask for a contract extension early.
Unless the whole roster can suddenly turn around and become great it’s unlikely they’ll be competing in the playoffs in 2021 considering they have massive holes in the secondary, interior offensive line, and secondary. They’re also extremely mediocre among every other position except for maybe linebacker (with Mosley).
There is the chance that he can sign his contract and still be consistently good for a long time but that doesn’t seem likely considering that he hasn’t been close to the playoffs.He’s not a Deshaun Watson or Carson Wentz type of talent. and I don’t believe that he can carry a mediocre team to the playoffs year after year like those guys can.
There is of course the chance that he has a Jimmy Garoppolo 2019 49ers type of season but that requires an amazing roster built around him and while I do believe Douglass is a good GM, the chance that he can build a 2019 49ers type of roster is extremely low.
This team is just not poised to win on Darnold’s rookie contract and Darnold hasn’t proven that he can carry a bad team, which unfortunately for Darnold, makes me believe that the Jets should not resign him,
For the record, I do believe he’s better than a quarterback like Josh Allen but sadly the Jets have wasted his best opportunity to win meaningful games and for that reason the Jets should find a new quarterback after the 2021 season.
Photo: NY Jets
