Jets Country

What the Jets Trading Sam Darnold Means for Zach Wilson

The New York Jets traded quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers, opening the door for the Jets to take BYU QB Zach Wilson with the second overall pick

Max Goodman

With Sam Darnold headed to the Carolina Panthers, it's pretty clear what the New York Jets are going to do with the No. 2 pick. 

There are no longer any reasons to trade back, or take the best player available at another position second overall. 

The conclusion of Sam Darnold's tenure in New York guarantees the conception of a new era at MetLife Stadium, one with BYU quarterback Zach Wilson under center. 

BREAKING: New York Jets Trade Sam Darnold to Carolina Panthers

General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh have a chance to start fresh at the game's most important position, adding a player that has the potential to be a superstar at the next level. 

Sure, you could've made the same statement about Darnold when he was taken third in the 2018 NFL draft by the Jets. Taking top prospects in the draft doesn't always pan out.

Wilson, however, is being mentioned in the same sentence as Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. He made jaw-dropping throws in his pro day, flicking perfectly bombs across his body and down the field while showcasing his mobility out of the pocket. He doesn't turn the ball over either, throwing 33 touchdowns this past season at BYU, compared to just three interceptions.

When the 49ers traded up to the No. 3 pick with the Dolphins a few weeks ago, all signs pointed to the Jets sticking with their pick and taking their guy second overall.

Did San Francisco already know what the Jets were planning, choosing not to reach out to New York (and their former defensive coordinator Saleh)? Either way, with Darnold off the roster and a gaping hole at quarterback, there are no doubts as to what they'll do next. 

Once the Jacksonville Jaguars secured the first pick, edging out the two-win Jets at the end of the regular season, it was clear the draft would start with New York at two. There was no way Jacksonville would take anyone other than Trevor Lawrence with the first pick, right?

Now, the draft starts with the 49ers at three. 

You can use a sharpie filling Wilson to the Jets in at two. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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