With the Jets kicking off the off-season with Robert Saleh as head coach and hiring his staff, all eyes are on the quarterback.
What are the Jets doing in the main 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 they line up Zach Wilson or Justin Fields with the second choice?
It’s a fascinating storyline that is sure to have many twists and turns in the coming weeks and months. ESPN reported Sunday that the Jets have received calls from teams interested in trading Darnold. Unsurprisingly, teams are calling, but it is telling that the Jets are listening. Midway through the 2019 season, general manager Joe Douglas said Darnold was untouchable. That no longer seems to be the case.
A source said the Jets are still undecided on what to do at the quarterback, with some people within the organization choosing to keep Darnold and others believing it’s time to move on.
If the Jets decide to trade Darnold, here are some teams that may be interested:
Chicago bears
The Jets may have to wait to see what happens to the Eagles and Carson Wentz before handing out Darnold, if that’s what they decide to do. The Bears are reportedly interested in taking over Wentz, but if the price tag is too high or they are outbid by another team, they can turn their eyes to Darnold. Chicago continues from Mitch Trubisky, who was drafted the year before Darnold. The Bears currently have Nick Foles on the roster.
The price for Darnold numbers is much lower than what the Eagles are asking for Wentz (two first-round picks reportedly). Darnold is 23 years old and has had a bad supporting role. Someone out there will believe they can get more out of him than the Jets.
There has been some speculation that the Jets could have a first round pick for Darnold, but a second rounder is more likely. The Bears pick 20th in the first round. Douglas will likely have to start a bidding war to get that choice.
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis is the other team believed to be hot and tough in the pursuit of Wentz. Colts coach Frank Reich is a former Eagles assistant and worked at Wentz in his first two years. Colts GM Chris Ballard is one of the best out there, and he may be hesitant to cough up the kind of choices the Eagles are after.
It would be an interesting story if the Colts end up acting for Darnold. Indianapolis traded the choice the Jets used to bring Darnold to the team in 2018.
The Colts would make a nice landing spot for Darnold. He would benefit from Reich’s coaching and a strong defense and running game. He would also be reunited with former USC teammate Michael Pittman Jr.
The Colts have the No. 21 choice in design.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco appears 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 trading for a quarterback have not stopped. CBS reported over the weekend that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is a fan of Darnold.
There is also a clear link between the teams now with Saleh coaching the Jets. That could create a trading package that isn’t just about concept choices, but also includes some lesser known players that Saleh wants for his familiarity with the roster. The Jets made a few such deals with the Browns when former coach Eric Mangini was there.
Darnold would benefit from working with Shanahan, who is known as a great quarterbacks coach. The 49ers have the 12th pick, which seems too rich for Darnold, but a second-rounder and a player that Saleh likes could make it happen.
Washington football team
The soccer team has a hole at the quarterback after Dwayne Haskins is washed out. Alex Smith may be back, but he doesn’t have many years left and is unsure because of his injuries. Washington has number 19, so that’s a starting point for the Jets to ask. Darnold would benefit from being in the same quarterbacks room as Smith, who supervised Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.