Sam Darnold won’t just end the season. After consulting with several specialists, the Jets quarterback says the possibility of shoulder surgery is “not on the table,” (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). 
Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft, has been limited throughout the year. With his team now at 0-9, many would argue that surgery is the sensible move, especially since the Jets aren’t exactly committed to him beyond 2020. The Jets may be in line to draft Clemson superstar Trevor Lawrence in the spring, a move that would immediately put Darnold on the trading block.
A fresh start would probably benefit Darnold, though opinions are split on what exactly he has to offer. Recently, one NFL GM told Mike Sando of The Athletic that Darnold’s ceiling appears to be much lower than back in his USC days.
“Darnold has talent,” the GM said. “You just wonder if they have ruined it. He has played behind a poor offensive line, has had no weapons, he was throwing to really Jamison Crowder as his No. 1. If the Jets keep losing and get the top pick, you could see another team that needs a quarterback and has a better supporting cast acquiring Darnold in the offseason figuring maybe he can be an average starter, and you can win with that.”
For now, Darnold will focus on rehabbing his shoulder. It’s not clear if he’ll be active for Week 11 against the Chargers, but he does have the benefit of the bye week.
Place him on the IR so he doesn’t get to banged up because he’s gone after the season.
Niners?
lol no, Darnold is not good. Kyle Shanahan is only one of maybe 3-4 coaches in the league that could squeeze whatever talent he has left outta him and they don’t need a rebuilding project right now.
They’re on pace for a 4-12, 5-11 season. Either trade for a top passer right now or take a young QB in the top half of the draft. Zach Wilson would be an interesting fit in the Shanahan scheme and should fall into that 5-9 pick range.
Browns
Darnold had a 38.2 passer rating in his only meeting against the Browns so I doubt they were impressed enough to pursue him if he became available.
Im completely biased, and i understand ohio state QBs have amounted to nothing in the NFL…but why is trevor lawrence a better NFL prospect than justin fields? Just curious
I dislike Ohio State and like Trevor Lawrence. But Justin Fields is the best QB this year and could have a similar pro career arc as Lawrence.
I agree. I hope they both do well
Well since you mention bias, yes, he is tall and white. That checks a lot of the boxes for ideal QB traits.
But also, 2019 Fiesta Bowl, Lawrence outplayed Fields in their biggest head to head matchup. It’s a lazy assessment, but one that does affect public perception.
Yeah but QBs dont play each other, ya know? Also last season Lawrence was 36touchdowns 8 interceptions, but fields was 41 and 3. But i do get your point
The scheme, honestly. Ohio State churns out mobile QBs like clockwork and they do usually end up struggling in a pro style offense.
But we have this debate every year. Fields and Lawrence have been compared to each other since high school-attended the same camps, got offers from the same kind of blue chip schools, played with the best skill players in the country. This is really about who you think fits your team better and who you’re more willing to go out on a limb for. Neither Clemson nor Ohio State plays an especially tough schedule, so we can debate the merits of the defense they’ve faced, but ultimately that’s mostly speculative. Fields is mobile, and that could be an upside or a downside.
Lawrence does have a national title and has beaten great teams in the playoffs. That’s more of a factor than his skin color and you can’t discount that. If you have two great prospects and you’re picking, you have to consider the resume. Also, and don’t forget this, Clemson has played more games this year so far than OSU. As the season goes on and Clemson ends its schedule while OSU still plays, you’ll likely hear more about Fields.
Many valid points. OSU does play zone spread and all the mobile QBs in the league rn didnt play spread in college (except cam newton at Auburn, and a little lamar jackson).
I also wonder if OSUs tremendous talent as WR makes the QB look better (although that doesnt really make sense, the ball has to somehow get to the WR for them to make a play in the first place)
Your also right about the schedule. Even though big10 is better conference vs ACC usually, OSU is in the big10 east which is horrendous (Indiana is in 2nd place after OSU). Both also play boring nonconference usually so that doesnt help.
Youre right about resume, but sometimes its wrong too. i.e. Baker Mayfield 40-6, 68% completion versus Josh Allen 16-9, 56% rating. I feel like if you get into the right system, both fields and lawrence could succeed. Put either in the wrong system or with bad coaching, either could bust. Thats why the NFL is the hardest league to scout in IMO
I agree with all of your points. I don’t think resume is as important for the same reasons you’ve stated (I will say that Mayfield is not nearly as bad as his reputation), but in a neck and neck race, i believe it ends up being a factor. I agree with all of your points, and good analysis.
Fields will pan out sometime the Redskins QB drafted a few years ago from Ohio State. Lawrence is a winner!
That first sentence really needs a lot of work.
Zach is a professional journalist and doesn’t make mistakes.
Using a vowel in your first name instead of a number isn’t a mistake?
Was talking about the post, I replied to,
Look good sometime to you I.
Fields and Haskins are 2 different players. Also both lawrence and fields have only 1 loss as starters so your argument makes zero sense, and even though clemson beat ohio state that doesnt make lawrence a bigger winner than fields
Colts will take a look at least
Steelers. It would be a 180 for him, and having Ben around for another year could be beneficial for him.
Have the surgery. It could only increase is value.
Horrible to speak of a human being like that though.
Hard to show his value if he’s not on the field.
You have to respect Darnold’s competitiveness and commitment to his teammates. Whether you think he is the problem or if you think that the Jets are, anyone who wants to play is better to have than someone who doesn’t.
I don’t think that there’s any question as to whether or not the Jets significantly damaged Darnold’s development. The real question is whether or not that damage is permanent. In any case, adding a possible franchise player with significant experience in a better situation is not a bad thing. The real decision to make is how much you’re willing to give up for a former top five QB who hasn’t had the success that he should have had-but you possibly could “fix”.
There’s no chance of Darnold being a franchise player now and at no time in his NFL career has he resembled a top five performer. At best he could be “fixed” to be a capable backup QB.
That crystal ball of yours’ will come in handy in a scouting department, Lemon…
Steelers