The Panthers paid for a selection in the next draft and two in next year’s draft in exchange for Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.
FLORHAM PARK – Three years after arriving as the savior of the franchise, New York Jets they changed to Sam Darnold to Carolina Panthers on this Monday, ending months of speculation about his quarterback plans.
As a reward for Darnold, the third general election in the 2018 project, jets They received three selections: a sixth round in 2021 by the end of this month and a second round and a fourth round in 2022.
Without a proven defender on the roster, players are expected jets select a replacement for Darnold with the second general round in the project from April 29 to May 1 in Cleveland. The main candidate is the passer-by BYU, Zach Wilson, who practically met several times with the management jets.
If jets select a second general defender, they will become the first team in the joint draft era to select two defenders from the first three elections 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 jets, Robert SalehShe said positive things about him, noting that he had “incredible talent in his arms.” General manager Joe Douglas he praised him too, but refused to commit Darnold last month and indicated that it is open to the exchange of proposals.
jets they considered the idea of preservation Darnold and his mating with a beginner, according to a source, but the idea of an empty start for all sides prevailed. The organization was also reluctant about a possible fundraising controversy. and I felt it might become a distraction.
The benefit of resuming with a rookie contract was also a factor in the decision, the source said. Exchange no. 2 has a fixed cost, a $ 35 million contract projected for four years. With Darnold, there would have been financial uncertainty beyond 2021 had it not exercised its option for the fifth year of the 2022 contract.
The general manager of panthers, Scott Fitterersaid that talks with jets intensified during the day pro Ohio State on March 30 and continued throughout the Easter weekend. Pro day Ohio State arrived three days later San Francisco 49ers agree to a transaction to move to third place overall, reducing the chances of Caroline to get the defender he wanted at Nr.
Better he said he liked it Darnold starting USC for their mobility and ability to push the ball down, and that the exchange will allow them panthers take the best player available with the eighth round overall, even if he is a defender.
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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 preclude anything for the project,” he explained. Better. “It does not exclude the choice of a defender, it does not exclude the choice of another position. What we wanted to do in this project, through free agency, through this trade for Sat.I was simply getting rid of all my needs.
“We wanted to get to a place where the team is in a good position and we can choose the best player available in eight. We can always get up, we can get down at any time, but this leaves us in the position of to make the right football decision for this team.
A Darnold He has one more year in his rookie contract, with a guaranteed salary and bonuses of $ 4.6 million. panthers must decide the option for the fifth year of the contract, 2022, on Darnold for May 3; the default amount of 18.8 million for that season would be fully guaranteed. He was scheduled to count for $ 9.8 million against the salary cap of jetsBut the team will now recover $ 4.8 million and will also accept a $ 5 million dead money fee.
panthers intends to discuss the option for the fifth year of the contract Darnold along with his agent, a league source told David Newton about ESPN.
Caroline he sought to improve his position as a defender in his own hands Teddy Bridgewater, since the end of last season. panthers given Bridgewater and the eighth overall selection at Detroit Lions of Matthew Stafford, who was finally changed Los Angeles Rams.
Better said he talked to Bridgewater Monday, but did not disclose details.
“It simply came to our notice then Sat. 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. “
Better described the Darnold already Bridgewater both as “starting defenders”, and said it would be the head coach’s decision Matt Rhule who becomes the owner of the club.
panthers They were also interested in buying Deshaun Watsonsources in the league said before the Los Angeles defender Houston Texans he was charged with sexual assault and misconduct in 22 separate trials.
Caroline signed at Bridgewater last season, to a three-year transaction of $ 63 million, which really comes down to a two-year transaction due to the way it is structured. Bridgewater This year’s salary cap is on the verge of reaching $ 22.9 million, with savings of only $ 7.9 million in 2021 if it is reduced after June 1.
“I think there are things we need to work on, obviously,” he said. Better about the future Bridgewater with panthers. “I have already spoken to the agencies Teddy. We will find the right place, whether it is here, wherever it will be, but we will discover things with the contract as well. “
After the exchange, jets now have 10 teams in The 2021 project and seven in the first two rounds of the next two projects.
“I want to publicly acknowledge the commitment, dedication and professionalism he has shown Sat. while he was with jets“he offered Douglas, general manager at jets, in a statement issued by the team. “He is a strong guy and a talented player whose history NFL It hasn’t been written yet. While all of this is true, the move is in the short-term and long-term interest of this team and him. Thank you Sat. for all his work for this organization and we wish him well as he continues his career. “
DarnoldThe 23-year-old failed to live up to expectations new York. He showed promise at the end of his debut season, but suffered a regression under the former head coach. Adam Gase, which was hired in 2019 – largely – for product development USC.
In three seasons, Darnold went 13-25 as a starter, with 45 touchdown passes against 39 interceptions. He completed 59.8 percent of his passes and never finished over 26 in the passing standings.
Finished with the lowest pass rating in NFL during 2020 (72.7), the number 36 out of 36 qualified defenders. His lifetime pass rating is 78.6, which places him 39th out of 39 in 2018.
Darnold He has dealt with injuries and illnesses throughout his professional career. He missed three games as a rookie (sprained leg), three games in 2019 (mononucleosis) and four games in 2020 (throwing the sprained shoulder).
To be fair, he never enjoyed much stability with jetsPlaying under two head coaches and in two different offensive systems, he was never accompanied by a 1,000-meter runner or a 1,000-meter receiver, and played behind a constantly changing offensive line.
jets they selected Darnold after a notorious transaction a month before the 2018 draft. Determined to find a defender, they raised three to bats in 3rd place overall, sending three second-round picks to Indianapolis Colts.
They didn’t think about it Darnold would be available in this position, however Cleveland Browns they surprised by choosing Baker Mayfield global first. corridor Saquon Barkley went second to New York Giants, leaving Darnold for jets, which had the best passer available that year.
For owners of jets they liked the selection Darnold.
“I honestly think they will look back over 20 years and say this is the time jets they changed speed, they became a great team, “he said jets, Christopher Johnson, a few days after the project.
Darnold he started the season opener in his rookie year, throwing a pick-six at his first pass. He settled down and defeated Detroit Lions In one fell swoop, the thrilling fans of jets, hungry for defender. It had a season of ups and downs (17 touchdowns, 15 interceptions), but there were enough positive moments for the organization to believe that it has found its long-term solution.
It was only in the 2020 campaign that questions arose about his future. Darnold He suffered throughout the season, injured his shoulder, and the team started 0-13, going into the fight for the first general round of the next draft. With speculation around the quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Darnold led jets to two victories in the last three matches, leaving jets with the second global turn.