New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas met with the media on Wednesday and revealed that if any teams call him about trading for quarterback Sam Darnold, he will be picking up the phone and listening.
“I will answer the call, if it’s made,” Douglas said, confirming a February report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Jets are listening to trade offers for their quarterback.
Darnold compliments are missing one key element
After confirming that he’ll be answering Darnold trade calls, Douglas showered Darnold with compliments about his potential, though Douglas notably didn’t say Darnold would be realizing that potential with the Jets.
“Sam is, we think, a dynamic player in this league with unbelievable talent, who really, really has a chance to really hit his outstanding potential moving forward,” Douglas said, adding “but if calls are made, I will answer them.”
Douglas also complimented Darnold earlier in the session.
Jets GM Joe Douglas said the team is still investigating their QB options, but “With Sam (Darnold) our stance on Sam hasn’t changed. He’s an extremely talented player. Very smart, very tough. We have no doubt he’s going to achieve his outstanding potential.”
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) March 3, 2021
Again, the phrase “with us, the New York Jets” is missing from the end of “we have no doubt that he’s going to achieve his outstanding potential.” You’re not going to get a head coach to outright admit that they want to trade their No. 1 quarterback, but sometimes they leave clues — especially if they have the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft, as the Jets do.
Trading Darnold honestly feels like a no-brainer for the Jets at this point. They know who he is, and working with new head coach Robert Saleh isn’t likely to transform him into a different quarterback. Having that No. 2 draft pick opens so many doors for the Jets. Well, it opens one in particular — a door the leads to a new quarterback who isn’t Darnold.
The Jets’ last effort at a rebuild has been a miserable failure, so maybe they should flip the mattress and start with not just a brand new head coach, but a new, non-Darnold quarterback. Douglas shouldn’t just be listening to trade calls, he should be camping out by the phone 24/7, waiting for it to ring.
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