The former 3rd overall pick from the 2018 NFL draft, Sam Darnold, has proved plenty of us wrong. He began his career with the Jets and played for just three seasons with Gang Green from 2018–2020. Afterward, his tenure with the Jets ended and he moved to play with the Carolina Panthers for two underwhelming seasons from 2021–2022. From there, he went to play with the San Francisco 49ers but served as a backup for just one season in 2023.
The Minnesota Vikings were up next in 2024, a season in which Darnold surpassed 4,000 passing yards and threw35 touchdowns. During that season, Darnold took the Vikings to the playoffs and ended his one season there. Afterward, he signed a 3-year contract with the Seahawks and led his team to a 14-3 record, taking them to the Super Bowl.
It was quite a journey for Sam Darnold coming out of USC into the NFL. With him being on so many teams throughout his career, he was trying to find a spot where he could thrive. Now, playing in Seattle under a great coach with impressive playmakers is Darnold is thriving. This is something that the Jets, in particular, did not provide Sam Darnold with. Moreover, the Jets just don’t have a great support system when it comes to bringing in quarterbacks.
This is a great time for the young man and for the Seattle Seahawks right now, but not so much for the Jets and their fans. The Jets will be watching their former first-rounder on their couch in two weeks. Once again, the Jets will be planning to draft a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft class. Things did not work out well with Sam Darnold or with former first-rounder Zach Wilson. Will a new approach with a re-built organization make a difference this time?
The NFL Draft is approaching very soon, and the Jets have plenty of premium picks to be excited about. With free agency also coming up, there will be lots of players on the market. It’s time to forget about the past and look forward to greater things ahead. Hopefully, the Jets can start trending in the right direction next year.
