It’s clear the Washington Football Team is one of a few teams looking at every option to upgrade their quarterback position. Washington was in on the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes. They’ve also inquired about Derek Carr. And now Adam Schfter of ESPN reports Washington has inquired about New York Jets QB Sam Darnold.
Washington re-signed Taylor Heinicke to a two-year extension. His playoff heroics earned him another shot in the NFL after spending all of 2019 and much of 2020 out the league. However, his deal has just $500,000 guaranteed money, and is fitting for backup.
Washington wants a long-term answer to build off their NFC East winning first year under head coach Ron Rivera. Stafford would have been that guy and since missing out on him, the team is kicking tires on every possible avenue.
That may include soon-to-be 37-year old Alex Smith returning. However, the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year is still mulling over his future after incredible comeback season two years removed from his horrific leg injury.
Darnold would certainly slot as a possible long-term option. The 2018 third overall pick has staggered through three seasons with the Jets. Injuries and inconsistency has largely affected him. Still, he is young, just 23 years old.
Darnold has a great deal of untapped potential that has flashed at times with New York. His best season was 2019, which he was 7-6 as a starter. That season he threw for 3,024 yards with 19 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.
For suitors, they have to be intrigued about the possibility of Darnold developing away from recently fired Adam Gase, who had a debacle of a run as the Jets head coach. They’ll also look to emergence of Ryan Tannehill with the Tennessee Titans once he got away from Gase and the Miami Dolphins.
The Jets hold the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. Numerous mock drafts have them linked to BYU standout quarterback Zach Wilson, possibly making Darnold available. The focus then will shift to what type of compensation the Jets are looking for in return in a trade.
