The Jets Deal Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers: Who Won the Deal?

Ever since drafting him third overall out of USC in 2018, the New York Jets and QB Sam Darnold have been a mess that never got cleaned up for three seasons. Whether it was injuries, bad coaching, or just lack of talent around him, Darnold never really got his chance to shine in New York because of the situations around him. Because of this and the likelihood that the Jets take a QB with the second overall pick, New York decided to trade Darnold to the Carolina Panthers for a series of picks. Let us look at the details of this trade and who comes out of this trade on the better end.

Trade Details

Regarding the details of this trade, they are quite simple. The New York Jets will receive three picks from Carolina: a sixth-rounder in this year’s draft, while also getting a second and fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft. As for Carolina, they will just be receiving Darnold with no conditions or incentives reported. It was also reported that the Panthers will discuss picking up Darnold’s fifth-year option as he enters his fourth season.

Carolina Panthers

Ever since QB Cam Newton lost his MVP ability because of injury, the Panthers have struggled to replace that talent at quarterback. Newton stuck it out for a few years, but never regained his form. Since Newton’s departure from the starting job and eventually, to New England, the Panthers have employed Kyle Allen and Teddy Bridgewater, who is still on the team, at the position. In other words, they do not have their franchise QB yet, making the Darnold trade a good one on their end. Darnold has shown the raw ability to play quarterback but has not translated it to the field for various reasons. Now, with a fresh start in Carolina with a quality coaching staff, quality receivers, and an all-pro running back, Darnold will be able to do more with less instead of running for his life with a bad play-caller. Carolina did not have to give up a first-round pick either, helping them draft even more help for Darnold and build a team around him. Despite this, Darnold still needs to prove himself, but he is in the perfect position to do so in Carolina.

New York Jets

On the Jets end of this trade, the move was inevitable. Darnold and the Jets organization had a broken relationship with no trust and no clear direction. Trading Darnold gives both sides a clear direction while making it almost a lock that New York takes a quarterback. New York was able to get some draft capital, the best being a second-round pick in 2022 but were not able to cash in and get a first-rounder. Regardless of this, New York needed to make this move and wipe the slate clean. Now, it is a matter of the Jets drafting the correct quarterback and getting pieces to build around him. Gang Green will have more than enough draft stock to do that and will look to stay active in an already busy offseason.

Who Won the Deal?

Like the Carson Wentz trade, the winner of this deal truly cannot be decided until we see results from not only Darnold but the Jets quarterback as well. If Darnold plays well and gets the Panthers to relevance, this trade is easily a win for Carolina no matter what the Jets do. As for the Jets, they need to draft the right quarterback and start winning games fast with him. If not, they will be in the same position they are in right now a few years down the road. While you cannot truly pick a winner, Carolina has the better chance of being successful over the next couple of seasons, making them the “winner” of this trade.