A Sam Darnold trade represented a long shot in the first place, and it now appears the notion was merely a distant dream. As the NFL offseason progresses and teams make moves to improve their rosters, the idea of Darnold being traded has all but disappeared. But why was a potential trade for the young quarterback seen as such a long shot, and what does this mean for his future with the New York Jets?
When the Jets selected Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, they believed they had found their franchise quarterback. Darnold was highly touted coming out of USC, with many experts predicting he would be a top pick. The Jets were ecstatic to have him fall into their lap, and they immediately handed him the keys to their offense.
However, Darnold’s first three seasons in the NFL have been anything but smooth sailing. Injuries, inconsistent play, and a lack of talent around him have hindered his development. The Jets have also gone through multiple coaching changes, which have not helped Darnold’s growth as a quarterback.
Despite these challenges, there was still hope that Darnold could turn things around and become the quarterback the Jets envisioned when they drafted him. However, as the 2020 season progressed, it became clear that Darnold was not the answer for the Jets. He struggled with turnovers and failed to elevate the team around him.
As the Jets finished the season with a dismal 2-14 record, it became apparent that a change was needed. The team decided to move on from head coach Adam Gase and hired Robert Saleh as their new leader. With a new coach in place, the Jets also had to make a decision on their quarterback situation.
Many believed that the Jets would stick with Darnold and give him another chance to prove himself under a new coaching staff. However, as the offseason progressed, it became clear that the Jets were open to trading Darnold. This news sparked speculation and rumors about potential landing spots for the young quarterback.
One team that was often mentioned as a potential trade partner for the Jets was the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers had a need at the quarterback position and were reportedly interested in Darnold. However, as the offseason progressed, it became clear that the 49ers had their sights set on a different quarterback – one who had more experience and a proven track record in the NFL.
With the 49ers out of the picture, the chances of a Darnold trade dwindled. Other teams that were rumored to be interested, such as the Indianapolis Colts and the Washington Football Team, also made moves to address their quarterback situations. This left the Jets with limited options for a potential trade.
As the NFL Draft approached, it became clear that the Jets were not going to find a suitable trade partner for Darnold. They ultimately decided to hold onto him and use their second overall pick to select quarterback Zach Wilson from BYU. This move all but solidified Darnold’s future with the Jets, as it is highly unlikely they will keep both him and Wilson on their roster.
So, what does this mean for Darnold’s future with the Jets? It appears that he will remain with the team for at least one more season, but his long-term future is uncertain. With a new coaching staff and a talented rookie quarterback waiting in the wings, Darnold will have to prove himself in order to secure his spot as the Jets’ starting quarterback.
While a trade for Darnold may have seemed like a long shot at one point, it now appears that the notion was merely a pipe dream. However, this does not mean that Darnold’s career is over. He still has the opportunity to turn things around and prove himself as a capable quarterback in the NFL.
As for the Jets, they have moved on from the idea of trading Darnold and are fully committed to their new quarterback, Zach Wilson. Only time will tell if this was the right decision, but for now, the Jets and their fans can look forward to a new era with Wilson at the helm. As for Darnold, he will have to use this setback as motivation to prove his doubters wrong and show that he can be a successful quarterback in the NFL.
