The Sam Darnold era is over for the New York Jets, as the USC product is headed off to join the Carolina Panthers.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the New York Jets have agreed to trade quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers.
Sources: The #Panthers have traded for #Jets QB Sam Darnold.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2021
The Jets will receive a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft in addition to a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft.
The #Jets are receiving a 6th rounder this year, and a 2nd and 4th rounder in 2022. https://t.co/8EszC26vJL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2021
The trade marks the end of the Sam Darnold era in New York.
Just over three years after making a deal with the Colts to move up from No. 6 to No. 3 in the first round of the 2018 draft, where they would eventually select Darnold as the second quarterback off the board (after Baker Mayfield), the Jets have sent Darnold off to his second NFL team.
Darnold finishes his Jets career having made 38 starts in three seasons, missing 10 games. The Jets went 13-25 in those games. Darnold completed 729 of his 1,219 passes (59.8%) for 8,097 yards (6.6 per attempt / 213.1 per game), 45 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions, posting a passer rating of 78.6 that was the second-worst among the 42 quarterbacks with at least 500 pass attempts from 2018-20, beating only Josh Rosen (63.5).
The flashes of star potential were frequent for Darnold, especially in 2018 and 2019, but he could never find a semblance of consistency amidst a tough situation. A change of scenery could be exactly what he needs.
With Darnold out the door and the only quarterbacks on the roster being James Morgan and Mike White, it now appears to be essentially a lock that the Jets will be selecting a quarterback with the second overall pick in the 2021 draft. Exactly who that quarterback will be is another debate (Zach Wilson appears to be the current favorite), but the odds are now very strong that the Jets will stay put at No. 2 and take a signal-caller.
In Carolina, Darnold will reunite with Robby Anderson and play under offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Darnold is currently slated to compete for the starting job with Teddy Bridgewater, who was traded by the Jets for a third-round pick in the summer of 2018 after Darnold beat him out for the starting job, but Carolina is reportedly looking to either trade Bridgewater or restructure his contract – a huge vote of confidence for Darnold.
What now for #Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater? Expect Carolina to look to move him. Either that, or look at options to adjust his contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2021
Additionally, the Panthers are expected to pick up Darnold’s fifth-year option, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The cost of the option is expected to be around $18.8 million, fully guaranteed.
The Panthers will exercise QB Sam Darnold's fifth-year option, per source.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 5, 2021
