NY Jets: 5 most likely trade destinations for QB Sam Darnold

3. The NY Jets could trade Sam Darnold to the Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace is on about as thin of ice as it gets. After years of failing at the quarterback position, he’s essentially been given one final chance to make things right.

And at the moment, he’s slated to enter the 2021 season with Andy Dalton as his starting quarterback and Nick Foles as his backup. Simply put, that can’t be the case.

Pace cannot afford to hedge the future of his job on Dalton, who spent last season as the backup in Dallas prior to Dak Prescott’s injury.

Fortunately for the Jets, Pace is actually the kind of GM that could become desperate to add another quarterback. And with the 20th overall pick in the draft, it’s likely he won’t be able to land one of the top signal-callers there.

Enter Sam Darnold.

Pace should be willing to take as many swings as possible at this stage. Darnold is still young and has the upside to continue improving. Pace might see him as his potential saving grace.

At the very least, he offers more upside than both Dalton and Foles who are what they are at this stage. The Bears aren’t going to make a deep playoff run with Dalton or Foles.

Does that mean they’re going to with Darnold? Likely not. But he at least offers the organization the kind of hope and promise that their two veterans can not.

The Bears aren’t exactly in an ideal situation right now. And it’s that desperation that could lead Pace to call the Jets about Darnold.

Next: 2. Denver Broncos