FLORHAM PARK, NJ – The New York Jets have lost 100 games since their last playoff appearance in January 2011, more than any other team except the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. All they had to do was get on 103 to earn the number 1 on the 2021 NFL draft, a reward for all the suffering, but the Jets likely cost themselves a shot at the cherished prospect Trevor Lawrence by they performed a miracle of Christmas week.
Not me.
The Jets’ stunning Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Rams changes everything from the upcoming head coaching search to the quarterback decision. When they deal with the # 2 pick, their planned current location, the Jets face tough decisions about which numbers should be an LWT off-season – life without Trevor.
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“The Jets better hope they don’t win,” a former general manager said recently. “I’m telling you, you can’t afford to lose this child. They are so painfully bad in every area on and off the field that they cannot afford to lose this child. They cannot. This one Child comes around [once] in a blue moon. “
Blue also describes the mood of the Jets fan base. Now the question on everyone’s lips is what now? Suddenly there are so many questions. Let’s tackle the big ones based on the likelihood of New York finishing second behind the Jaguars:
Will this have an impact on the jets in the coaching market?
At the end of this season, there will be between five and eight head coaching positions. Aside from a surprise at the Jets-Rams level, the Jets will be one of the teams looking for a new coach. Yes, it will affect them. To be honest, the expected opening isn’t as attractive as it used to be.
The prospect of coaching a talent of the generation like Lawrence would have been a huge win for top candidates, especially offensively minded coaches. The Jets still have significant draft capital to rebuild their talented roster (four picks in the first round in 2021 and 2022), which some contestants will find attractive, but it’s not the same as Dibs on the star of the Clemson Tigers.
If they don’t overtake the Jaguars in the last two weeks, the opening of the Jets will be central in terms of sexy appeal.
Could New York still draw a second quarterback?
Sure, it is possible, but the gap between Lawrence and Ohio state quarterback Justin Fields is growing. Fields, the alleged second choice, played poorly in the Big Ten championship game, his second subpar game in a month. Fields still has a ton of physical prowess, but his lack of experience and his struggle against the top defenses have raised some concerns among talent judges. Any quarterback who designed this high should be an elite prospect. It’s hard to put Fields in this category if he doesn’t miss Lawrence in the college football playoff semifinals.
Three other quarterbacks have first-round grades, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board – Zach Wilson, BYU, Mac Jones, Alabama, and Trey Lance, North Dakota State. One or more of them could be pushed into the top 10 based on supply and demand for the position. In my opinion, Jets general manager Joe Douglas would have to fall head over heels to get one of them with the number 2 on.
Jets QB Sam Darnold has one year left on his rookie contract (cap of $ 9.8 million). In 2022, the option for the fifth year is estimated to be $ 25 million (fully guaranteed). Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images
Does this mean QB Sam Darnold will be back with the Jets in 2021?
It certainly increases his chances of returning for its fourth season, but it’s not a slam dunk. Douglas is not faithful to Darnold for not drawing him, and to be honest, Darnold’s work leaves many questions unanswered. Since joining the league in 2018, Darnold has been in 39th place in the passerby rating, 38th place in the completion rate and 39th place in the touchdown / interception ratio of 40 qualified quarterbacks.
The numbers are grim, but let’s not forget that he’s 23 years old and still hasn’t had the luxury of a sound support line-up. Many in the league still believe that Darnold’s best ball is in front of him and it can be fixed. If Douglas decides to roll with Darnold, he would put his trust in the nearest coaching staff and in his own ability to give the quarterback a better talent.
The disadvantage is economy. Darnold has one year left on his rookie contract (cap of $ 9.8 million), with an option for year five in 2022 estimated at $ 25 million (fully guaranteed). If the Jets reject the option, which they likely will, 2021 turns into one year of evidence – i.e. Mitchell Trubisky and the Chicago Bears. Now you are talking about serious risk-reward. If Darnold plays well in 2021, it means a big bucket extension or a franchise day. If he stutters, it’s back to first place.
From a salary cap perspective, it makes more financial sense to start over with a rookie and trade Darnold, but not at the expense of being downgraded to that position.
1:07
Rex Ryan is disappointed with the Jets’ first win because they may have missed their chance on Trevor Lawrence’s draft.
What are the other options with the # 2 selection?
If Douglas chooses to stick with Darnold, he can add an important piece on the offensive with the draft pick. He could make it big with Penei Sewell, Oregon, who would be a formidable bookend if Jets left Mekhi Becton, or he could go for a dynamic wide-angle receiver. DeVonta Smith (Alabama) and Ja’Marr Chase (LSU) are considered elite prospects. Imagine one with jets with Denzel Mims on the other side.
Douglas could also trade, swap places with a quarterback-needy team, and acquire additional picks in the process. If he goes that route, it means he’s all-in with Darnold.
Are there any other scenarios that could come into play?
Absolutely. We’re talking about the jets, so things are rarely cut and dried. Perhaps Douglas will try a hybrid approach, which means that he drafts a quarterback on the first round (not necessarily second), trades Darnold, and acquires a veteran who can hold the fort until the rookie is ready. This would give them short and long term responses to the position while also accumulating additional draft capital.
This would mean a complete reset for the franchise.
At this point, anything is possible.
