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The Jets can learn something
from a decision the Los Angeles Rams made.
In the summer of 2019, the Rams gave Jared Goff’ the kind of monster second contract quarterbacks dream of, a four-year extension, worth $134 million, with $110 million guaranteed.
They didn’t need to do it. He had just finished his third season in the league. His rookie contract had a year left on it, and they had already picked up his fifth-year option, so they had him locked up for two more seasons.
It was clearly a mistake.
He’s not a $34 million-a-year QB. He’s a system QB who needs a running game and great play-calling to shine.
And the strange thing about this contract is they gave it to him after he struggled in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, where the Rams’ offense just managed three points. Bill Belichick’s scheme baffled him. That game should have been a cautionary tale for the Rams, and should have at least made them wait on paying him the big bucks.
When you pull the trigger on these kinds of contracts, if impacts your salary cap at other positions.
The Jets should learn from what the Rams did. If they do bring back Sam Darnold next year, just let him play on the fourth-year of his rookie contract. Don’t let the media making a big deal about the optics of that (no long-term commitment) impact the decision.
Obviously, we all know the Jets hurt their chances at landing Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence by beating the Goff-led Rams on Sunday.
The Jets and Jaguars now both have one win, and Jacksonville wins a tie-breaker with the Jets for the first pick.
Now if we were talking three weeks ago, you could have made an argument that Jacksonville had a shot at beating Chicago at home this week, which would help the Jets. However, the Jaguars have been awful the last two weeks, and the Bears seem to have gotten their act together, and are playing for a wildcard spot, so it’s hard to count on Jacksonville pulling the upset (but based on what the Jets just did, you never know).
If the Jets don’t get the first pick, and miss out on Lawrence, what are they going to do at quarterback?
They could draft a QB later in the first round, and let him compete with Darnold for the job. They could trade for Carson Wentz, if the price is right (Joe Douglas knows him well from Philly). Or maybe’s BYU’s Zach Wilson aces the pre-draft process, workouts, combine, team meetings, and emerges as a viable option for the #2 spot. He seems to have special talent, but scouts are a little concerned about the weak schedule BYU plays, and him beating up on bad opponents.
Ohio State’s Justin Fields probably is not worthy of the second pick of the draft due not going through his progressions well. He locks on his first read too often.
But the bottom line is the Jets are actually in a better position with Darnold, than the QB he beat yesterday, Goff, because they have yet to sign him to that second QB contract, which can be a cap-buster.
The Rams should have waited until after Goff’s fourth season to make a decision.
And the Jets don’t have to do anything now, which will allow them to use their myriad 2021 cap space on re-signing other players (like Marcus Maye), and either let Darnold compete for the starting job next year making a salary of $920,000, or trade him. The Raiders and Rams games might help his trade value.
But Jets fans should be happy the team isn’t stuck in that second QB contract rabbit hole, like the Rams, and obviously aren’t going there anytime soon.
December 21, 2020
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