FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey – Explaining the most important trade of his two-year term, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas said the decision to deal with quarterback Sam Darnold was largely based on two factors: project position and finances.
“I think it’s safe to say, if our choice were a little later, we wouldn’t be doing this discussion right now,” Douglas told reporters in a Zoom call. “We would feel fully comfortable moving forward with Sam.”
The Jets, who won second place in the April 29 NFL draft, traded Darnold to the Carolina Panthers for three draft picks: a sixth-round pick from 2021, plus a second and fourth round from 2022 .
At No. 2, the Jets are expected to select BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.
Douglas downplayed the possibility of changing the option. He acknowledged the obvious, saying they are locked in a quarterback. But I wouldn’t say which one, insisting on the final decision, hasn’t been made yet.
“We feel really good with the draft class in general and the quarterback class in particular,” Douglas said. “This was an opportunity to financially press the reset button, so to speak.”
That was an important factor, sources said.
The second option of the project will result in a four-year contract worth $ 35 million, fully guaranteed, a fixed cost that will allow for financial flexibility in the coming years. Meanwhile, Darnold had planned to post $ 9.8 million in the final year of his rookie contract. The Jets could have exercised their fifth-year option for 2022, but the cost would have been $ 18.9 million.
It would have been $ 28.7 million for two years compared to $ 35 million for four. There is also a $ 5 million limit to operate with Darnold.
Although Douglas was courteous to Darnold, the organization believes it will find an update with the second selection. Darnold, who finished third overall in 2018, didn’t live up to expectations and was the league’s lowest passer in the last three seasons.
Douglas admitted the Jets didn’t do enough to help Darnold, and said they need to do a better job surrounding talent to the next quarterback.
The team played the idea of keeping Darnold and pairing him with a rookie, Douglas confirmed. Ultimately, the Jets decided it would have been a distraction for all parties.
“Ultimately, that wouldn’t be the best situation for Sam, for the rookie quarterback, for the coach [Robert] Saleh and his staff, and the locker room, “Douglas said.” We felt that this was the best decision for the whole organization moving forward, pressing the reset button. “
Douglas said he has held “conversations with many teams,” including the Panthers, about the second selection, but that he would not rate any of those discussions as meaningful.
The plan is to stay at number 2 and pick a quarterback. If he doesn’t bother, it will be Wilson. If they had been selecting between 12 and 14, they would have shot with Darnold, the GM said.
“According to the decision we made [Monday]”Douglas said,” you can see the direction we’re heading. “