The Panthers paid a pick for next draft and two in the draft of the year entering the exchange for Jets quarterback Sam Darnold
FLORHAM PARK – Three years after arriving as the savior of the franchise, the New York Jets they changed to Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers this Monday, ending months of speculation about his plans in the quarterback position.
As a reward for Darnold, Third global recruit of the 2018 draft, the Jets they received 3 selections: one from the sixth round of 2021 by the end of this month, and one from the second round and another from the fourth round of 2022.
WITHOUT a proven quarterback on the roster, the Jets select a replacement for Darnold with the second global round in the draft from April 29 to May 1 a Cleveland. The leading candidate is the pin BYU, Zach Wilson, Who has met virtually a couple of times with the management of the Jets.
if the Jets select a second overall quarterback, they will become the first team in the common draft era by selecting two quarterbacks within the first three selections in a span of four years, according to ESPN information and statistics.
The organization was conflicted by the decision to leave with Darnold, According to sources. The head coach of the Jets, Robert Saleh, Spoke positive things about him, noting that he had an “amazing arm talent.” The general manager Joe Douglas he also praised him, but declined to commit to Darnold last month, and indicated that he was open to proposals for change.
the Jets consider the idea of retaining Darnold and pair it with a beginner, according to a source, but the idea of a blank start for all parties prevails. The organization was also reluctant around a possible quarterback controversy. and he felt it might have become a distraction.
The benefit of a reboot with a rookie contract was also a factor in the decision, the source said, turn No. 2 comes with a fixed cost, a projected $ 35 million contract over four years. with Darnold, There would have been financial uncertainty beyond 2021 if he had not exercised his option in the fifth year of his 2022 contract.
The general manager of the Panthers, Scott Fitterer, Said the talks with the Jets intensified during the pro day of State of Ohio on March 30, and continued throughout the Easter weekend. The pro day of State of Ohio arrived three days after the San Francisco 49ers agreed an exchange to move up to third place overall, reducing the chances of Carolina to get the quarterback he wanted at No.
More fit he said he liked it Darnold coming out of USC for their mobility and ability to push the ovoid low field, and that the exchange will allow the Panthers take the best player available with the eighth round overall, even if it is a quarterback.
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Sebastian Martinez-Christensen says Sam Darnold will have a chance to resurrect his career at the Carolina Panthers.
“That doesn’t rule anything out for the draft,” he explained More fit. “We don’t rule out choosing a quarterback, we don’t rule out choosing another position. What we wanted to do in the face of this draft, through free agency, through this exchange for SamIt was just getting rid of all the needs we had.
“We wanted to get to a place where the squad was in a good position, and we could choose the best player available in the eight. We can always move up, we can always go down, but that leaves us in a position to make the right football decision for this team. in the future “.
A Darnold he has one year left on his rookie contract, with a guaranteed salary and bonuses of $ 4.6 million. the Panthers they will have to decide on the option in the fifth year of contract, in 2022, with respect to Darnold for May 3; the default amount of $ 18.8 million for this season would be fully guaranteed. He was scheduled to count on $ 9,800,000 against the salary cap of the Jets, But the team will now recover $ 4.8 billion and will also accept a 5 million dead money charge.
the Panthers plan to discuss the option in the fifth year of the contract Darnold with his agent, a league source told David Newton of ESPN.
Carolina has been looking to improve his quarterback position in the hands of Teddy Bridgewater, Since the end of last season. the Panthers offered to Bridgewater and the eighth overall selection in the Detroit Lions per Matthew Stafford, Who was eventually traded to Los Angeles Rams.
More fit he said he talked to Bridgewater on Monday, but did not reveal details.
“The whole idea of bringing Sam it was to raise the level of competence where you need to be, “he said, adding,” These guys can push each other and get better at each other. “
More fit described in Darnold now Bridgewater as “headline caliber” quarterbacks, both, and said it will be the head coach’s decision Matt Rhule who ends up as a starter for the club.
the Panthers were also interested in acquiring a Deshaun Watson, Said league sources, before the quarterback of the Houston jeans he was charged with sexual assault and misconduct in 22 different lawsuits.
Carolina sign a Bridgewater last season on a three-year, $ 63 million contract, which actually comes down to a two-season deal because of the way it’s structured. Bridgewater is about to hit $ 22.9 billion this year’s salary cap, with just $ 7.9 million in savings during 2021 if it is cut after June 1st.
“I think there are things we need to work on, obviously,” he expressed More fit regarding the future of Bridgewater with the Panthers. “I have already spoken to the agents of Stuffed animal. We’re going to find the right place, either here or where it’s going to be, but we’re going to decipher things, with the contract, too. “
After the exchange, the Jets they now have 10 selections in the Draft 2021 and seven in the first two rounds of the next two drafts.
“I want to publicly acknowledge the commitment dedication and professionalism he showed Sam while he was with them Jets“He offered Douglas, General Manager of Jets, In a statement issued by the team. “He ‘s a guy with a mental mindset and a talented player NFL it hasn’t been written, yet. While all of these things are true, the move is in the best interest in the short and long term for this team and for him. We thank a Sam for all his work on behalf of this organization and we wish him the best in the continuation of his career. “
Darnold, 23 years old, failed to meet high expectations in New York. He showed promise at the end of his rookie season, but suffered a regression under the former head coach Adam Gase, Which was hired in 2019 – largely – to develop the product of USC.
In three seasons, Darnold he went 13-25 as a starter, with 45 touchdown passes against 39 interceptions. He completed 59.8 percent of his passes, and never finished at the top of the No. 26 spot in pin index.
It ended with the lowest pin index in the NFL during 2020 (72.7), No. 36 out of 36 qualified quarterbacks. Its lifetime pin index is 78.6, which places it at No. 39 of 39 since 2018.
Darnold he has struggled with injury and illness throughout his career. He missed three games as a rookie (foot sprain), three games in 2019 (mononucleosis) and four 2020 games (sprained shoulder throw).
To be fair, he never enjoyed great stability with them JetsPlaying under two head coaches and on two different offensive systems, Mai was accompanied by a 1,000-yard runner or a 1,000-yard receiver, and played behind a constantly changing offensive line.
the Jets they selected a Darnold after a notorious exchange a month before the 2018 draft. Determined to find a quarterback, they rose three rounds to No. 3 overall, sending 3 second-round picks to the Indianapolis Colts.
They didn’t think that Darnold would be available on this site, but the Cleveland Browns they gave the surprise by choosing a Baker Mayfield first global. the runner Saquon Barkley was second to the New York Giants, Leaving a Darnold for the Jets, Those who had it as the best pin available this year.
To the owners of the Jets they loved the selection of Darnold.
“I honestly think they will look back in about 20 years and say this is the time for them Jets they changed the speed, they became a great team, “said the deputy chief executive of the Jets, Christopher Johnson, A few days after the draft.
Darnold he started the season opener in his rookie year, throwing a “pick-six” with his first pass. He settled down and defeated the Detroit Lions in a beating, thrilling the fans of the Jets, Hungry for a quarterback. He had a season of ups and downs (17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions), but there were enough positive moments for the organization to believe he had found his long-term solution.
It was not until the 2020 campaign that questions arose about its future. Darnold he suffered throughout the season, his shoulder hurt, and the team started with a 0-13 mark, placing in the fight for the first overall round of the next draft. With speculation around the quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Darnold lead the Jets to two victories in its three final parties, leaving to Jets with the second global turn.