FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey – Zach Wilson and Sam Darnold first met last season at a training center in San Clemente, California, Darnold’s hometown. At the time, Darnold was still the quarterback for the New York Jets.
Your next meeting will have more meaning.
On Sunday, Wilson will face his predecessor, now head of the Carolina Panthers, in an open season with plots. Both players insisted on Wednesday that they were not focused on beating the other.
“Definitely not something to think about,” Wilson said. “He’s doing his thing now. He’s in a fantastic situation. I think the organization has already decided to go one way and it’s not because Sam isn’t a good football player. It’s that they wanted a fresh start.”
Darnold, in statements to reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, downplayed the importance of the party. When it was suggested that yes no one more game, Darnold replied, “But it is so.”
After months of speculation, the Jets traded Darnold to the Panthers on April 5, receiving in return a selection from the sixth round of 2021, in addition to the second and fourth rounds of 2022. It was a major change, if not impressive, of the Jets, who reached Darnold’s third-place finish in 2018. They once considered him his long-term answer, but he struggled last season. With a new coaching staff in 2021, they decided to start again.
At the time of the trade, they were already focused on Wilson, who ended up being second. The Jets really considered keeping Darnold and drafting Wilson.
“(That idea) went pretty far,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “Viouslybviamente, see how far the process was negotiated Sam. I’ll go on and say, we practically knew we were carrying the little boy, so the discussion with Sam was whether someone would make an offer we couldn’t make. Don’t deny it.” .
Wilson has impressed on the field. On Wednesday, he was announced as one of his five permanent captains, according to the players who voted. It is unusual for a novice to receive this honor. In 2018, Darnold was no new captain.
“It’s a role to take seriously,” Wilson said.
Saleh paid attention to receiving the results of the vote.
“He would say to me,‘ Oh, look at this, ’” he said. Go to the cafeteria and stay with the O-linemen. He has an infectious personality. It’s a merit for him and for the way he’s handled it so far. “
When Wilson and Darnold met before the project, they had no idea their careers would be intertwined. That day they exchanged pleasures in California.
“He’s a really great guy,” Wilson said. “We just talked about life in the NFL.”
Darnold admitted after the trade that the move stung him, and said he always imagined his entire career with the Jets. Now you have the opportunity to reduce a small measure.
“Honestly, we’re all excited in the locker room to play football – play in front of a crowd, especially here in Charlotte,” he said. “It’s great to just get back to the fans. We’ve all been looking forward to it for a long time. I’m excited to play for the Jets and see what this football team can do. I’m thrilled to play constantly and play inside of myself.”
David Newton, NFL Nation Panthers reporter, contributed to this report.