FLORHAM PARK, NJ – As he prepares for what could be his last game with the New York Jets, Sam Darnold seems to know where the organization can find its long-term answer to the quarterback.
Staying with him.
Despite his worst season stats, Darnold said Thursday that he hopes to stay with the Jets and believes he can turn into a franchise defender.
“I definitely think these are my best days,” said the 23-year-old Darnold, who was ranked third overall in 2018.
Darnold failed to wait – 13-24 as a starter – fueling speculation, the Jets will change him and choose his replacement with the second selection in the NFL 2021 draft.
He insisted he was not approaching Sunday as a possible last game. The Jets (2-13), winners of two straight lines, face the New England Patriots (6-9) on the road.
“I’m Jet now,” Darnold said. “I know we all like to think about assumptions and what they would be, but I’m Jet now. I like being here. I love my boys in the locker room. I like going to work here every day.”
Darnold said he did not talk to CEO Joe Douglas about his future. He has one more year from his rookie contract, with an option for the fifth year for 2022 to be exercised by the beginning of May.
What complicates his future is the lack of development, plus the position of first project. With the second pick, the Jets could take Ohio Field’s Justin Fields or BYU’s Zach Wilson and throw Darnold for the draft pick.
Much will depend on who coaches the team. Adam Gase is expected to be dismissed after the match, and his replacement will have a say in the defender’s decision.
“I think there are stretches where I haven’t played nearly as well as I should have and I’ll be the first to admit it,” Darnold said.
Darnold is the least appreciated passer in the NFL (72.3), with just eight touchdown passes and nine interceptions, but he leads a series of three consecutive games without a turnover.
“That’s where Sam’s upbringing came in the last two weeks,” said offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. “He knows, ‘Put on your cape. You don’t have to be Superman.’
Gase said failure without turnover is “a big step. I’d like him to have more games with three and four touchdowns? Absolutely, but that’s not something we can necessarily control, right?” “
The decision-making process, accuracy and working with Darnold’s feet need work, according to Gase, who said it was unfair to criticize him for offensive fighting. At the start of the season, Darnold threw to the second and third line receivers due to injuries.
Gase admitted that he did a poor job in training. At the same time, Darnold admitted that he did not help his coach.
Darnold called this the most challenging year of his football career, going all the way to high school.
“Yeah, I’d say that,” said Darnold, who also faced a sprained shoulder that sidelined him for four games. “We had some tough seasons in high school, but it was definitely a tough season.”