The Panthers paid for one pick from the next version and two from next year’s version in exchange for Jet’s quarterback Sam Darnold.
FLORHAM PARK – Three years after arriving as the franchise’s savior, the New York Jets they exchanged against Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers this Monday, ending months of speculation about his plans with the quarterback.
As a reward for Darnold, the third overall choice in the 2018 design, the Jets They received three selections: a sixth round in 2021 at the end of this month, and a second round and fourth round in 2022.
Without a proven quarterback on the roster, players are expected to do so Jets select a replacement for Darnold with the second general turn in the draft from April 29 to May 1 in ClevelandThe main candidate is the passer-by BYU Zach Wilson, which has been practically a few times with the management of the Jets
If it Jets select a second overall quarterback, they become the first team in the Common Draft era to select two quarterbacks from the top three picks within four years, according to ESPN statistics and information
The organization was in conflict over the decision to leave Darnold, according to sources. The head coach of the Jets Robert SalehShe spoke positive things about him, noting that he had “incredible arm talent.” Managing Director Joe Douglas praised him too, but refused to commit to it Darnold last month, and indicated that they are open to exchange proposals.
The Jets they considered the idea of sticking Darnold and pair him up with a newbie, according to one source, but the idea of a blank start for all parties prevailed. The organization was also cautious about a potential controversy over the quarterback. and felt it might have become a distraction.
The benefit of a reboot with a new entrant contract also played a role in the decision, the source said. The shift from No. 2 comes at a fixed cost, a $ 35 million contract over four years. With Darnoldthere would have been financial uncertainty after 2021 had he not exercised his option until the fifth year of the 2022 contract.
The general manager of the Panthers Scott Fitterersaid the talks with the Jets intensified during the pro day of Ohio state on March 30, and continued over the Easter weekend. The pro day of Ohio state arrived three days after the San Francisco 49ers agree to a trade to move up to third place overall, increasing the odds Carolina to get the quarterback he wanted at No.
Fitter he said he liked it Darnold go away USC for their mobility and ability to push the ball into the field, and that the exchange makes this possible Panthers take the best available player with the eighth worldwide turn, even if it is a quarterback.
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Sebastián Martínez-Christensen assures that Sam Darnold will have the opportunity to revive his career in the Carolina Panthers.
“This does not rule out the design,” he explained. Fitter“It does not preclude you from choosing a quarterback, it does not preclude you from choosing another position. What we wanted to do by going into this concept, through free service, through this exchange for SamIt was just getting rid of all the needs we had.
“We wanted to go to a place where the team was in a good position, and we could pick the best player available in the eight. We can always go up, we can always go down, but this leaves us in position to get the right one. football decision for this team. to the future “.
A Darnold He has one more year on his rookie contract, with a guaranteed salary and bonuses of $ 4.6 million. The Panthers must decide on the option until the fifth year of the contract, 2022, regarding Darnold before May 3; the standard amount of 18.8 million for that season would be fully guaranteed. He would count for $ 9.8 million against the salary cap JetsBut the team will now recover $ 4.8 million and will also accept a $ 5 million death penalty.
The Panthers plan to discuss the option until the fifth year of the contract Darnold with his agent, a competition source told David Newton ESPN
Carolina is looking to improve the quarterback position, owned by Teddy Bridgewater, since the end of last season. The Panthers offered to Bridgewater and the eighth overall selection Detroit Lions by Matthew Stafford, to whom was eventually traded Los Angeles Rams
Fitter he said chatted Bridgewater on Monday, but did not disclose details.
“To convey the whole idea Sam it was to raise the level of competition to where it needs to be, ”he said, adding,“ These guys can push each other and make each other better. “
Fitter described Darnold already Bridgewater as “starting caliber” quarterbacks, both, saying it will be the head coach’s decision Matt Rhule who ends up as a starter for the club.
The Panthers They were also interested in procurement Deshaun Watsonleague sources said, ahead of the Los Angeles quarterback Houston Texans was charged with sexual assault and misconduct in 22 separate lawsuits.
Carolina signed at Bridgewater last season to a $ 63 million three-year deal, which basically amounts to a two-year deal because of the way it’s structured. Bridgewater This year’s salary ceiling is set to hit $ 22.9 million, with just $ 7.9 million in savings in 2021 if lowered after June 1.
“I think there are things we need to work on, of course,” he said. Fitter about the future of Bridgewater with the Panthers“I’ve already talked to the agents from TeddyWe will find the right place, be it here, wherever it will be, but we will also figure things out with the contract. “
After the exchange it is Jets now have 10 teams in the Design 2021 and seven in the first two rounds of the next two drafts.
“I want to publicly acknowledge the commitment, dedication and professionalism he showed Sam while at the Jetshe offered Douglas, general manager of the Jets, in a statement from the team. “He is a strong man and a talented player whose history is NFL It has not yet been written. While all of these things are true, the move is in the best short and long-term interest of this team and him. we thank Sam for all his work on behalf of this organization and we wish him the best in continuing his career. “
DarnoldThe 23-year-old did not live up to the high expectations New YorkHe showed promise at the end of his rookie season, but suffered a backlash under the former head coach. Adam Gase, which in 2019 was hired in large part to produce the USC
In three seasons Darnold he went 13-25 as a starter, with 45 touchdown passes against 39 interceptions. He completed 59.8 percent of his passes and never finished above 26th in the passer rating.
He finished with the lowest passer-by rating in the NFL in 2020 (72.7), No. 36 out of 36 qualified quarterbacks. His lifetime passer rating is 78.6, making him 39th out of 39 since 2018.
Darnold He has dealt with injuries and illnesses throughout his professional career. He missed three games as a rookie (foot sprain), three games in 2019 (mononucleosis) and four games in 2020 (shoulder sprain).
To be fair, he never enjoyed great stability with the JetsPlaying under two head coaches and in two different offensive systems, he was never joined by a 1,000-yard runner or 1,000-yard receiver and played behind a constantly changing line of attack.
The Jets they chose Darnold after an infamous transaction a month prior to the 2018 draft. Determined to find a quarterback, they rose three at-bats to No. 3 overall, bringing them three second-round picks to the Indianapolis Colts
They didn’t think so Darnold would be available in that position, however Cleveland Browns they surprised by choosing Baker Mayfield worldwide scoop. The hallway Saquon Barkley he went second New York Giants, go away Darnold for the Jets, who had him as the best passer-by that year.
To the owners of the Jets they loved the selection of Darnold
“I really think they will look back in twenty years and say that this is when Jets they changed the speed, they became a great team, ”said the senior vice advisor Jets Christopher Johnson, a few days after the design.
Darnold he started the season opener in his rookie year, throwing a pick-six on his first pass. He sat down and beat the Detroit Lions in a throbbing, exciting fans of the Jets, hungry for a quarterback. He had a season of ups and downs (17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions), but there were enough positive moments for the organization to believe he had found his long-term fix.
Only in the 2020 campaign did questions arise about his future. Darnold He suffered all season, injuring his shoulder, and the team started 0-13 and competed for the first overall inning of the next draft. With speculation about the quarterback Trevor Lawrence Darnold led the Jets to two wins in their last three games, making the Jets with the second worldwide turn.