Probably one of the saddest stories unfolding right now in the NFL is the one with Sam Darnold. This kid had the look of a superstar when he emerged out of USC. Everything about him shined from the physical talent to the natural playmaking instincts to his charisma as a leader. He looked like a franchise quarterback in waiting. How could anybody screw up by drafting him?
Well, as has proven the case too many times the New York Jets found a way. They selected Darnold 5th overall in 2018 and proceeded to ruin him with a series of disastrous moves. Chief among them? Hiring Adam Gase as head coach and waiting far too long to invest in the offensive line. They didn't draft a blocker in the top three rounds until this offseason, Darnold's third. He's been sacked 82 times in 32 games.
As for Gase?
People proclaimed him an offensive genius back in the early 2010s thanks to his association with Peyton Manning in Denver. Since then, people have become wise to how ill-equipped he is to develop quarterbacks. Just look at Ryan Tannehill. He wasn't much of anything under Gase for three years in Miami. Now he's playing like an All-Pro in Tennessee. With the Jets a near shoo-in for the #1 pick and the rights to Clemson star Trevor Lawrence, most believe Darnold will be gone from there next offseason. It's a matter of figuring out where he might try to jumpstart his career as Tannehill did. Marc Sessler of NFL.com sees one team as the perfect landing spot."Chicago Bears: Sam Darnold -- If ever a quarterback needed a fresh start. This just feels like a Bears move. I like the fit, assuming Chicago harbors the courage to start over with an offensive coaching staff committed to not making our eyes bleed."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bIE11xke3w&ab_channel=SmoothSports







