What Does Putting Sam Darnold on the Trade Block Mean for the New York Jets?

After months of speculation, it may finally be happening. New York Jets GM Joe Douglas recently said that the franchise will be listening to offers for starting quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold, who is still on his rookie contract, had a topsy-turvy season with the Jets. While the quarterback showed flashes of brilliance on the pitch, a large part of it was overshadowed by the side’s failure to win games consistently over the course of the season.

The Jets finished 2020 with a 2-14 record. The second worst in the league. The Jets fans, however, saw some silver linings.

With the franchise tanking, the fans dreamt of drafting the highly rated Trevor Lawrence with the #1 Draft pick 2021. But that dream too fell through as the franchise won 2 games against the LA Rams and the Cleveland Browns on the trot.

Their success against the Rams and the Browns led the #1 pick to go to the 1-15 Jacksonville Jaguars. Ultimately, Head Coach Adam Gase lost his job, and many felt it was time for Darnold to go out as well.

And Douglas’ recent comment is the first clear indicator that the franchise is indeed looking to offload its quarterback. But what could this possible trade signify for the franchise? Could there be better things in store?

New York Jets looking for a fresh start

The franchise have been plagued with misfortune for years. And perhaps no greater have been their woes in the QB position. Ever since Joe Namath won the franchise its first and only Lombardi Trophy back in Super Bowl III, the Jets have struggled to get their hands on another franchise QB.

Many have come and gone, but none have been able to carry the franchise across the final hurdle. Trading Darnold, though, could be a step in the right direction.

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With former San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Adam Saleh taking over, the franchise is finally looking to make things right. A major rebuild is on the cards and it starts with their team’s quarterback.

Darnold still has a lot of potential. And could hold his own if given a solid O-line. But what the Jets need during this rebuild is a finished product; a player who can deliver the goods as the team around him hopefully evolves into world-beaters.

And as luck would have it, the Jets have plenty of attractive options to choose from. But none are more lucrative than landing Deshaun Watson.

The Houston Texans QB’s intent to leave the franchise is well known. And it has previously emerged that New York would definitely be an option that Jackson would like to consider.

Even with the team around him falling apart, Watson put up some of the best figures of his career. With close to 5,000 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, Watson was one of the best quarterbacks in the league last season.

And with the Jets looking to offload Darnold, this definitely means that the franchise is looking to make a run for Deshaun Watson. If this indeed turns out to be the case, do you think Deshaun Watson can carry the franchise back to the promised land?

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