New Jets coach Robert Saleh praised quarterback Sam Darnold… to an extent.
Saleh made many beautiful statements about Darnold at the coach’s introductory press conference Thursday, but he stopped saying Darnold would be the team’s quarterback in 2021.
“He’s got incredible arm talent,” Saleh said. There’s a reason he was number 3 in the draft. He is undaunted in the bag. It has a natural throwing motion. He is mobile. He is extremely intelligent and he is tough as hell. His reputation in the locker room is indisputable. Just that in general, there’s a reason he was the third choice in the design and you can see all those qualities on the tape and in the building in the way people talk about him. “
The Jets must make a major decision on Darnold. He was a disappointment in his first three seasons, but he’s only 23 and a lot of people think he can improve in a better offensive system and with better players around him. Saleh hired Mike LaFleur as his offensive coordinator to perform the Kyle Shanahan offense, which is quarterback friendly.
The Jets have the # 2 overall pick in the draft and can select the second best quarterback in the draft. The Jaguars are expected to line up Clemson star Trevor Lawrence with the # 1 overall pick.
The past week has also seen pressure from media and fans for the Jets to explore a trade for disaffected Texan quarterback Deshaun Watson. Jet’s general manager Joe Douglas was asked about Watson but couldn’t say anything due to the NFL’s manipulation rules.
“I cannot argue about a player who is not on our team,” said Douglas. “Like it [Saleh] alluded to and I’ll say now, our next step in the process is to get together as staff, discuss all the guys on our team, really get their perspective by watching the tape and the perspective of the people who are here. been in recent years. It will be a really great gathering that really lays the foundation for our low season. “
Douglas said the only conversations about players he has had with Saleh have been during the interview process. Saleh is focused on building his technical staff. They can now begin their evaluation of not just Darnold, but everyone on the squad.
“There are a lot of things we need to do to get ahead,” Saleh said when asked if Darnold would be his starter during the training camp. ‘We are just getting the staff into the building. There are so many things we need to do from an evaluation standpoint with regard to the entire squad, not just the quarterback. It wouldn’t be fair to give you that answer now. There are many discussions to be had with Joe’s staff and himself. It would be a bit premature to give you that answer now. “