FLORHAM PARK, N.J. A look at what s happening around the New York Jets:
1. Darnold vs. Wilson? Former Jets quarterback Josh McCown couldn t help but laugh at how the narrative surrounding Sam Darnold has changed. Noting the fickle nature of the NFL, McCown told ESPN this week, Three years ago, it was Suck for Sam. Now it s,
Sucked for Sam.
The past three seasons have stunk for everybody connected with the Jets, and that s one of the reasons Darnold could be replaced by a rookie, presumably BYU s Zach Wilson. McCown, who became a mentor to Darnold in 2018 and has remained close with him, believes the Jets would be wise to keep him. He feels Darnold would thrive in a stable, quarterback-friendly environment, something he hasn t had.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
Cam fallout: Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the Patriots one-year agreement with Cam Newton on Friday:
Follow the money The specifics of the contract speak volumes about the Patriots thinking. As ESPN NFL analyst Tim Hasselbeck said on SportsCenter, it s a contract that one would expect a backup to sign. Newton will earn $5.1 million if he s healthy and on the roster as a backup, with upside to $6.6 million if he starts all season and $8.6 million if he starts and the team makes the playoffs. The rest of the money he can earn, up to a total of $13.6 million, is based on honors and how far New England might advance in the playoffs. So this isn t the Patriots saying, Cam is definitely our guy as much as it s We wanted someone in place before the start of free agency; we assessed all the free-agent options; and the idea of trying to build on 2020 with Cam at a modest financi
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. A look at what s happening around the New York Jets:
1. Days numbered?Sam Darnold s chances of returning in 2021 seemed to improve with the hiring of coach Robert Saleh, who spoke of the quarterback in glowing terms (privately to friends as well). Now, 46 days before the 2021 NFL draft, those chances appear to be fading.
General manager Joe Douglas all but posted a For Sale sign when he recently admitted he is open to fielding trade inquiries. Since then, nothing has changed with regard to Darnold. The Jets are listening. This month, Douglas will be a fixture on the QB/pro day circuit. It kicked off Friday at North Dakota State, where he scouted Trey Lance, a likely top-10 pick.
Especially about the tight ends.
“That’s a room that’s going to have to be rebuilt in some ways,” he said.
With Tyler Eifert and James O’Shaughnessy becoming free agents when their contracts expire on Wednesday afternoon, the four remaining tight ends under contract for 2021 have a total of 14 catches in 59 games. Eric Saubert has the most, with 10 catches for 85 yards in 40 games, but he had just three catches last season with the Jaguars.
So, yeah, a rebuild there is critical, but at least the Jaguars are doing it in a year when there are several good free agents available, as well as what is regarded as a solid draft class. With the most salary-cap space available ($74.4 million) of any team and 11 draft picks (seven in the first four rounds), the Jaguars have the ability to make significant changes and finally get good production out of a position that hasn’t really done much over the past decade.