The relationship between the New York Jets and quarterback Sam Darnold is in a strange place.
Depending on who you listen to, the franchise is either planning to keep him and draft him some additional help or drop him in favor of someone like Justin Fields.
Although the Jets haven’t fully signaled that they are leaning towards the latter option, things are beginning to seem that way.
This week, three serious trade suitors for Darnold’s services emerged.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the teams to watch are: the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Football Team.
“The Jets have taken calls, and haven’t seemed to be in any particular rush to move their 23-year-old former first-rounder. No one’s blown them away,” he wrote. “… At this point, eight teams have called the Jets about Darnold with varying levels of interest. … As for teams to watch, three in particular are interesting to me: Chicago, San Francisco and Washington.”
This isn’t the first time those teams have come up in reference to Darnold. A month ago it came out that the Niners were interested in two quarterbacks to replace Jimmy Garoppolo – one of which was Darnold. Then last week it was revealed that the Bears considered the 23-year-old one of three options to plug their hole at quarterback.
According to Peter King of NBC Sports, Darnold would command at least a high second-round draft pick.
Darnold has participated in 38 pro outings since being drafted by New York out of USC. In that time he has thrown for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions on 59.8 percent career completion percentage.
Last year Darnold recorded nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the 2-14 Jets.
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Many franchises believe that Darnold’s struggles in New York were the byproduct of poor coaching and bad team structure.
Are they willing to bet some pretty hefty draft capital on that theory?
An answer should come in the looming weeks and months.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
