A five-month stare down between Sam Darnold and the New York Jets came to a close this afternoon as the Jets dealt Darnold to the Carolina Panthers for a 2021 6th round pick, and 2022 2nd and 4th round picks as well. There had been much speculation surrounding the former #3 overall pick and what the team’s plans were at Quarterback, but it seems the league has their answer as the team shipped him out for a modest return of Draft capital.
For the Jets, many expected them to move on from Darnold and reset their timeline by selecting a QB in the 2021 Draft. However, at the same time others speculated that the Jets would keep Darnold and see if the QB could reach his ceiling now that he was free from the clutches of Adam Gase. Either way, everyone got their answer, and it appears the #2 overall pick this year will be the new signal caller for Gang Green. With a new Coaching staff, and a GM that had no ties to selecting Sam Darnold, it seemed like a good time to get their return on investment. With the gargantuan haul of draft picks they now have, they are fully prepared to ramp up the re-build that has seemingly already started. Many believe watching Zach Wilson dazzle at his pro day was the final nail in the coffin for the Darnold era in New York, as he is now the betting favorite nationwide to come off the board second on April 29th. With a 5th year option decision looming for the former USC product, it made sense to move him and only incur ~$4.8 million in dead cap for 2021, while getting another rookie QB deal in the process (via Wilson). It was rumored that Darnold could have been moved Pre-Free Agency for low 1st round selection, but that market never materialized, and they get similar compensation with a projected mid to early 2nd round selection next year, coupled with a 4th round pick in the same draft. With the entire Jets organization ready for a reset, this move seemed inevitable. The only question fans will be left with is why it didn’t happen sooner.
Further south, Carolina fans are left with the most questions as they had been assured most of the off season that an upgrade over the middling Teddy Bridgewater was imminent. When the dust finally settled and they were notified that Darnold would be commanding the huddle on Sundays, the reaction can be described as tepid at best. Many will point to Adam Gase for the struggles Sam endured during his time in New York, and with one of the most brilliant up and coming minds in the game with Joe Brady calling the plays viewers can expect better results. Coupled with Darnold only being 23 years old and having high expectations as the former 3rd pick of the draft, we shouldn’t count the former Trojan out just yet. The Panthers didn’t sell the farm to acquire the quarterback, but it should be noted some notable picks are involved. Sam will only carry about a $5 million dollar cap hit this year, but with a fifth-year option looming his time to impress the staff will be short. I don’t see this as the “big swing” fans were promised, but I do see this as a modest bet with huge potential especially as Darnold should have his best supporting cast of his career (Christian McCaffery, DJ Moore, and Robbie Anderson). If it pays off and we see more of the Sam Darnold who can roll left and throw a 35-yard strike, cross body, on the run. Carolina may have found their guy for the near future for much less than other teams (49ers spent three 1st rounders, Colts sent a 1st/2nd pick and a 3rd, etc.).
The last piece of the puzzle here is Teddy Bridgewater. The former Louisville Cardinal is now left in limbo as it is assumed Darnold will be brought in as the starter. Bridgewater carries a ~$23-million-dollar cap charge this year, with about $20 million in dead cap if he is moved via release. That is a hefty price to pay and places the Panthers in a sticky situation. Slightly better optoon would be a trade which would bring only a $10 million cap hit as the team taking him on would eat most of his money this year. They can keep him on the roster to compete for a year, as next year the cap hit is much more palpable at about $5 million dollars. As they say, competition breeds success, making Darnold earn the job against the journeyman Bridgewater may be the best bet. However, if they wait to move him until next year, he may have no trade value and cutting his contract would be the last remaining option. Unless we see a catastrophic rise in play under center from either of the Carolina QB’s, I believe the Panthers will be another middle of the pack team this year. It would serve them best to sit on Bridgewater’s contract and cut bait next year if he doesn’t earn the job, and create more space to build around Darnold, or a new rookie in the 2022 Draft. Seeing as though If the trade doesn’t work out, they should be within striking distance of one of the top gun slingers in next year’s draft.
The verdict will be out until the end of the 2021 season on who truly was the winner of today’s deal. Early returns will show the trade was fairly even, given that the suitors for Darnold were not many and the Panthers were on the outside looking in of all draft and free agency QB deals. I give a slight edge to Carolina being the winner due to the young age and potential of Sam Darnold. If Gase was truly the downfall of the SoCal product, he’ll be given the opportunity at redemption in Carolina to show us what made him the high selection in 2018. If not, then the Jets will have a couple more swings of the bat in this year’s and Next’s NFL draft.
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