When the New York Jets like a quarterback, they go all in.
They sent a haul to the Green Bay Packers to bring Aaron Rodgers to the Big Apple in 2023.
Darnold endured a rough ride with the Jets
In 2018, it was Sam Darnold – the man lining up against them with the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5 – in their sights.
There have been plenty of suggestions that it was the Jets who let Darnold down in not giving him the right platform to thrive, but the man himself has been quick to play that down
“I don’t think the Jets failed me,” Darnold said before flying to London with the Vikings. “I had a lot of opportunities in New York, and I always felt like I could have played better there.”
Darnold has moved around, but aged 27 he is still younger than Joe Burrow. He has bounced around the league and is now thriving, a common theme when it comes to quarterbacks
Justin Fields and Baker Mayfield are benefitting from a change of scenery, Jared Goff and Geno Smith – to differing degrees – were written off and are now performing to a high level.
It’s a fact not lost on Rodgers, who faced the media in England on Friday and underlined that very point
“I pull for Sam, I’ve known him for a number of years and he comes to my charity flag football event,” he said,
“He is a great dude and like so many quarterbacks – when I did McAfee on Tuesday they listed a lot of guys in different paces who are in different places who are having nice seasons.
“There is a common through line – they have all dealt with adversity in the right way and now they have an opportunity are at an organization and in a system that suits their skillset.”
As for Darnold in New York, he had three seasons with the franchise who aggressively pursued a trade up from three spots back to strike a deal with the Indianpolis Colts.
Darnold looks a new man in purpleGetty
They gave up two second-round picks in 2018 and what turned out to be the 34th pick in 2019.
That is a lot of capital for a man they sent to the Carolina Panthers three years later for a sixth-rounder in 2021 and second and fourth-round picks in 2022.
Jets fans already be feeling down after seeing a reborn Darnold lead the Vikings to 4-0 as one of the best QBs in the NFL this season may want to look away now.
The Colts used their haul wisely as they built around their then superstar quarterback Andrew Luck.
With the sixth pick, they selected guard Quenton Nelson, who has made six consecutive Pro Bowls to start his career – only the 15th man to do so.
Braden Smith was snapped up with the 37th pick and is still starting at right tackle in Indianapolis.
The offensive line has been an issue for Gang Green, and Nelson or Smith – or both could be suiting up to protect Rodgers, or even have been in position to give another draft hopeful in Zach Wilson a better shot at success.
Nelson was picked up by the Colts with one of the picks they received from the Jets
The Colts traded the 49th pick to the Philadelphia Eagles and turned that into linebacker Kemoko Turay – currently on the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad – and free agent running back Jordan Wilkins.
The following year Indianapolis selected Michael Pittman Jr. in the second round – he had six catches for 113 yards in Week 4 this season.
While the Colts’ picks were not all home runs, they clearly won the trade.
Although the biggest beneficiaries right now are the Vikings.
They took a chance on Darnold’s talent as they looked to provide a stable influence alongside rookie J.J. McCarthy.
The 10th overall pick was due to start in Week 1 before suffering a devastating season-ending injury.
Darnold was given a chance to shine on his fourth team after a short stint as Brock Purdy‘s backup at the San Francisco 49ers last season.
And he has taken it with both hands.
With 73 completions on 106 attempts, Darnold has racked up 932 yards, a league-high 11 passing touchdowns, and – crucially – just three interceptions.
The talent was always there, but costly picks were his Achilles’ heel in New York.
Many will call Sunday’s clash a revenge game – and Darnold could be forgiven for having a chip on his shoulder.
Darnold’s three-season stay in New York ended with a trade to the Panthers
Darnold could let his arm do the talking against a formidable Jets defense.
His head coach Kevin O’Connell was more cutting.
“I just think as a whole, there’s not enough emphasis put on the organization’s role in the development of the position.
“Meaning I believe that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations,” he said on the Rich Eisen Show last week, without going into specifics.
All eyes will be on the quarterbacks just up the road from Buckingham Palace.
If Darnold comes out on top in his battle with Rodgers, it might be time to crown him the comeback king.
The NFL returns to London this weekend and talkSPORT 2 will bring you all three London games over the next three weeks, starting on Sunday as we have exclusive commentary from 1.30pm of the New York Jets taking on the Minnesota Vikings
