Mixed Signals: Jets GM Praises Darnold But Taking Calls on the QB

Jets GM manager Joe Douglas said he would listen to offers for quarterback Sam Darnold, which tells me all I need to know. The Jets are not sold on Darnold being their quarterback of the future, and if that’s the case, then package Darnold and send him to Houston in exchange for quarterback DeShaun Watson.

The Jets should put together a can’t turn down package deal that the Texans might jump on. Watson wants out, and Houston, despite what they say, are looking for an offer that’s too good to pass up. Douglas used to call Darnold untouchable, but apparently that’s no longer the case.

In the above conversation from Big Boards Sports, Eric Hannmann and I discuss the repercussions of that press conference and try to figure out what the comments from Joe Douglas means for the Jets at the QB position. Here are some possibilities:

• The Jets keep Sam Darnold. After all, Douglas did say that Darnold "is a dynamic player in this league with unbelievable talent. He really has a chance to hit his outstanding potential moving forward." They could keep Sam and hope that talent finally comes to fruition.
• As I mentioned above, they could make a move at QB via trade with Watson being at the forefront of that possibility. There may be too much draft capital for Douglas' taste involved in a deal like that.
• Maybe OC Mike LaFleur is loving on BYU's Zach Wilson or another QB in the 2021 NFL Draft. The scouting is being done and there's a chance the new regime wants their own signal caller of the future and if he's in this drat, they have the draft pick to do it.