New Jets coach Robert Saleh praised quarterback Sam Darnold … to a point.
Saleh made a lot of good statements about Darnold during the coach’s introductory press conference on Thursday, but stopped saying Darnold would be the team’s quarterback in 2021.
“He has incredible arm talent,” Saleh said. “There’s a reason he was the No. 3 pick in the draft. He’s not afraid of the pocket. He has a natural throwing motion. He’s mobile. He’s extremely smart and he’s hard as nails. His reputation in the dressing room there is no doubt.Only this, in general, there is a reason why it was the third selection of the draft and you can see all these qualities on tape and around the building in the way the people talk about him. “
The Jets have an important decision to make about Darnold. He’s been disappointed in his first three seasons, but he’s only 23 and a lot of people believe he can improve on a better offensive system and with better players around him. Saleh hired Mike LaFleur as his offensive coordinator to implement the offense of Kyle Shanahan, who is friendly with the quarterbacks.
The Jets have No. 2 pick in the draft and can select the second-best quarterback in the draft. The Jaguars are expected to select Clemson star Trevor Lawrence with No. 1 pick in the overall standings.
Last week, there was also a media and fan push for the Jets to explore the trade of disgruntled Texan quarterback Deshaun Watson. Jets general manager Joe Douglas was asked by Watson, but he couldn’t say anything because of the NFL’s handling rules.
“I can’t get into any discussion about a player who isn’t part of our team,” Douglas said. “I like [Saleh] I allude and I will say now, our next step in the process is to get together as a staff, review all the guys on our team, get their perspective on watching the tape and include the perspective of the people who have been here the last years. It will be a really fantastic meeting that will lay the foundations for our low season.
Douglas said the only conversations about players he has had with Saleh have been during the interview process. Saleh has focused on building his coaching staff. Now they can start evaluating not only Darnold, but everyone on the list.
“There are a lot of things we have to do to move forward,” Saleh said when asked if Darnold would be his incumbent entering the training camp. “We just got the staff into the building. There are so many things we need to do from an evaluation standpoint in terms of the whole roster, not just the quarterback. Giving you that answer right now would not be fair. There are many discussions to have with Joe’s staff and himself. Giving you that answer right now would be a little premature. “