FLORHAM PARK, NJ – New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas, who once considered Sam Darnold untouchable, was uncommitted Tuesday on whether Darnold would return as starting quarterback in 2021.
Douglas differed, saying the next coach will be “a big part of that decision,” which could have a big impact on the NFL’s low season and the draft of 2021. The Jets, selecting the second, could draft Darnold’s replacement.
“Look, we have a lot of decisions to make,” Douglas said in a season-ending Zoom call with reporters. “I think Sam will be a great quarterback. I’m excited to get a coach here and go through our process.
“I think Sam has a very bright future in this league. We’ll get a coach here, we’ll meet and talk about a lot of decisions. I’m excited about Sam.”
Douglas’s praise sounded tempered, compared to previous public comments about Darnold.
At the 2019 negotiation deadline, Douglas said he would hear commercial offers for all players on the team except Darnold. In the mid-2020 season, he said of Darnold, “I have no problem saying he’s our best quarterback and our quarterback for the future.”
That’s when the team got the 0-8. The Jets finished 2-14 and 32nd in total offense, resulting in the dismissal of coach Adam Gase. Darnold was the lowest passer in the league (72.7).
Obviously, Douglas wasn’t about to sweep his quarterback. The Jets will keep it positive throughout the offseason because they don’t want to sabotage Darnold’s commercial value in case they decide to move on from the third overall selection in 2018, a decision that would shake the league’s quarterback market.
Douglas wouldn’t say if he thinks Darnold has backed down.
“I think Sam faced a lot of hurdles this year, just like everyone else (because of) COVID,” he said. “Frankly, we’ve had quite a few injuries on the offensive line and in the wide receiver position. It was difficult for our offense in general to build the kind of sustained chemistry to be successful year-round.
“All of these things affected not only Sam, but our offense. I think you saw that in December Sam played really well in football. We were able to beat two playoff teams. How Sam played.”
The Jets annoyed the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns, with Darnold going through three touchdowns and a 382-yard walker. He played one ball without spins in those games, but ended the season with a two-run performance in a loss to the New England Patriots.
Douglas did not shed much light on the search for a coach, except to say that he is looking for a “great partner” with leadership, communication and managerial skills. The Jets have applied for permission to speak with at least six NFL coordinators. Douglas said he will not shy away from a college coach with no professional experience as long as the candidate possesses the traits he covets in a head coach.
Douglas said the Jets will launch “a very wide net” as they look for Gase’s replacement. The Jets could change their organizational structure, eliminating GM’s current setup and both coaches reporting ownership.
“I don’t care,” Douglas said, adding that any structure will work as long as you find the right coach.