As the Jets ’low season begins, with Robert Saleh in place as head coach and his hired staff, all eyes are on the quarterback.
What will the Jets do in the most important position? Will they stay with Sam Darnold for a fourth season and build around him? Will they make a monster move for Texan star Deshaun Watson? Will Zach Wilson or Justin Fields draw with the No. 2 overall pick?
It is a fascinating story that will surely have many changes in the coming weeks and months. ESPN reported Sunday that the Jets have been making calls from teams interested in negotiating with Darnold. It’s not uncommon for teams to be calling, but the Jets are listening. In the mid-2019 season, general manager Joe Douglas said Darnold was untouchable. It seems that this is no longer the case.
A source said the Jets are still undecided on what to do to the quarterback, with some people within the organization in favor of keeping Darnold and others believing it’s time to move on.
If the Jets decide to change Darnold, here are some teams that might be of interest:
Chicago Bears
The Jets may have to wait and see what happens to the Eagles and Carson Wentz before dealing with Darnold, if that’s what they decide to do. The Bears are reportedly interested in acquiring Wentz, but if the price is too high or if another team outperforms them, they could turn their attention to Darnold. Chicago goes from Mitch Trubisky, who was recruited the year before to Darnold. The Bears currently have Nick Foles on the roster.
The price of Darnold’s figures will be much lower than what the Eagles are asking for Wentz (apparently two first-round options). Darnold is 23 years old and has had a poor cast. Someone out there will think they can get more out of it than the Jets have.
It has been speculated that the Jets could get a first round for Darnold, but they are more likely to have a second. The Bears pick 20th place in the first round. Douglas will probably have to create a bidding war to get that selection.
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis is the other team that is believed to be heavy and hot in search of Wentz. Colts coach Frank Reich was an Eagles assistant and worked with Wentz in his first two years. Colts GM Chris Ballard is one of the best around and may be hesitant to cough up the kind of selections the eagles are looking for.
It would be an interesting story if the Colts ended up negotiating for Darnold. Indianapolis changed the selection used by the Jets to bring Darnold to the team in 2018. The Jets earned No. 3 overall selection from three second-round picks and No. 6 ranking in the standings that year.
The Colts would be a good landing place for Darnold. He would benefit from Reich training, as well as a strong defense and career game. He would also reunite with former USC teammate Michael Pittman Jr.
The Colts have choice number 21 on the draft.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco would appear to have a better quarterback situation than any other team on this list, with Jimmy Garoppolo returning from injury in 2021, but reports and rumors that San Francisco is interested in negotiating with quarterback have not stopped . CBS reported over the weekend that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was a Darnold fan.
Now there’s also an obvious connection between the teams with Saleh coaching the Jets. This could create a commercial package that isn’t just about draft picks, but includes some lesser-known players that Saleh wants because of his familiarity with the roster. The Jets did a few trades like this with the Browns when former coach Eric Mangini was there.
Darnold would benefit from working with Shanahan, who was known as a great quarterbacks coach. The 49ers have the 12th pick, which seems too rich for Darnold, but a second player with a player like Saleh could get it.
Washington football team
The football team has a hole in the quarterback after Dwayne Haskins washes. Alex Smith may return, but he doesn’t have many years left and is unsure of his injuries. Washington has the No. 19 pick, so it’s a starting point the Jets have to ask for. Darnold could benefit from being in the same quarterbacks room as Smith, who was Patrick Mahomes ’mentor in Kansas City.