FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Joe Douglas, New York Jets general manager, who once considered Sam Darnold untouchable, was noncommittal on Tuesday as to whether Darnold will return as the starting quarterback in 2021.
Douglas delayed, saying the next coach will be “a big part of that” decision – one that could have a huge impact on the NFL off-season and the 2021 draft. The Jets, who came in second, could draft Darnold’s replacement.
“Look, we have a lot of decisions to make,” said Douglas in a Zoom end-of-season conversation with reporters. “I think Sam is going to be a great quarterback. I’m excited to get a head coach here and go through our process.
“I think Sam has a very bright future in this league. We’re going to get a head coach here, we’re going to get together and we’re going to talk about a lot of decisions.
Douglas’s praise was tempered compared to previous public comments about Darnold.
On the 2019 trading deadline, Douglas said he would listen to trade offers for every player on the team except Darnold. By mid-2020, he said of Darnold, “I have no problem saying he is our best quarterback and our quarterback for the future.”
Then the team was 0-8. The Jets finished 2-14 and 32nd in all-out attack, resulting in the ousting of coach Adam Gase. Darnold was the lowest rated passer of the competition (72.7).
Douglas clearly had no intention of wrecking his quarterback. The Jets will keep it positive during the off-season because they don’t want to sabotage Darnold’s trade value in case they decide to move on from the third overall pick in 2018 – a decision that would shake up the league’s quarterback market.
Douglas wouldn’t say whether he believes Darnold has deteriorated.
“I think Sam has faced a lot of obstacles this year, just like everyone else (because of) COVID,” he said. “To be honest, we had quite a few injuries on the attack line and on the wide receiver position. It was generally difficult for our attack to build the kind of sustained chemistry that would deliver year-round success.
“All those things affected not only Sam, but our attack. I think you saw Sam playing a lot of good football in the month of December. We were able to beat two playoff teams. A lot of that is because of the way Sam played. played. “
The Jets disrupted the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns, with Darnold crossing three touchdowns and a 382-yard pedestrian. He played a knockout in those games, but ended the season with two interceptions in a defeat to the New England Patriots.
Douglas did not shed much light on the quest for coaching, other than to say that he is looking for a “great partner” with leadership, communication and management skills. The Jets have requested 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 has the qualities he desires in a head coach.
Douglas said the Jets will cast “a very wide net” as they look to replace Gase. The Jets could change their organizational structure and do away with the current setup, with the GM and coach both reporting to ownership.
“I don’t care,” said Douglas, adding that any structure will work as long as they find the right coach.