Former GM Mike Tannenbaum believes Joe Douglas was both happy that the Jets finally won their first game last Sunday against the Rams and knew the win probably cost him the opportunity to throw Clemson defender Trevor Lawrence.
According to Tannenbaum, the plot of the last two games of the Jets – and then of the months leading up to the 2021 draft – will be whether they decide to stay with former first-round coach Sam Darnold in position.
Asked earlier this week on The Post’s “The Gang’s All Here” podcast what would happen if the Jets finished second in the draft, Tannenbaum – who served as the team’s GM for seven seasons from 2006-12 – made it appear if he is not convinced that Darnold is the long-term answer to the quarterback.
“Well, I’m a little disappointed that since Sam Darnold was in the NFL he’s had 44 turnovers. He is the sixth biggest quarterback of that time, “said Tannenbaum. “It’s hard to win and have sustainability when your defender teaches him. I think the next few weeks are important [for him]. “
The Jets should lose and Jacksonville should win at least one of the two remaining games against Chicago and Indianapolis, who are fighting for the playoffs, to regain slot no. The Jets also managed to be no worse than the second pick in the draft, when Cincinnati (3-10-1) upset Pittsburgh on Monday night.
Zach Wilson of BYU and Justin Fields, Ohio, are expected to be in the next group of defenders after Lawrence.
Tannenbaum, who was also executive vice president of football operations in Miami from 2015-18, also brought in some well-trained former NFL rookies who now serve as veteran backups in the league as potential stopgaps. if the Jets add another defender to the draft. the second general or by trading down.
“I would not give up looking at someone like that [Las Vegas’] Marcus Mariota or [New Orleans’] Jameis Winston and then he looks at the project as well, ”said Tannenbaum. “The problem is that you will not almost get the capital project you would have obtained in previous years.
“I think these valuations will be everywhere, so while you may be able to trade from the second choice if you want to keep Sam Darnold, you will not get this election table.”