Jets’ Joe Douglas thanks Sam Darnold, explains trade with Panthers

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas did the expected Monday, trading quarterback Sam Darnold.

Following the deal with the Carolina Panthers, Douglas released a statement. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

“I want to publicly acknowledge the commitment, dedication and professionalism Sam displayed while with the Jets. He is a tough-minded, talented football player whose NFL story has not been written yet. While all these things are true, this move is in the short- and long-term best interests for both this team and him. We thank Sam for all of his work on behalf of this organization and wish him well as he continues his career.”

According to Schefter, the Jets are trading Darnold to the Panthers “for a 2021 sixth-round pick and second- and fourth-round picks in 2022, per sources. Carolina and the Jets had been taking for weeks.”

Darnold, the No. 3 pick overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, heads to Carolina, clearing the way for the Jets to use the No. 2 pick overall in the 2021 NFL Draft on a quarterback, with BYU’s Zach Wilson the leading candidate.

Schefter reports that if that happens, the Jets “would become the first team in the Common Draft Era, since 1967, to select two QBs in the top three overall picks in a four-year span,” per ESPN researcher Evan Kaplan.

As for Darnold, his track record with the Jets underwhelmed: a 13-25 record as a starter with 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. Shipping him to Carolina gives the Jets the chance to pair new head coach Robert Saleh with a new franchise QB.

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports “The Panthers will exercise QB Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option. … Darnold was obviously not Carolina’s first option. They were involved in the (Matthew) Stafford derby. They really wanted Deshaun (Watson). Jimmy (Garoppolo) doesn’t look to be leaving SF. They couldn’t get a top draft QB after the SF-MIA trade. Darnold, by early April, became their best available option.”

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