NFL analyst hypes up possible Sam Darnold-Jets reunion in free agency

In classic NY Jets fashion, 2024 has become the year of former Jets players starring after leaving Florham Park. As Aaron Rodgers struggled, former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold is having a career-defining season as J.J. McCarthy's injury replacement with the Minnesota Vikings.

Darnold, who bounced between the Jets, Panthers, and 49ers before landing in Minnesota during his seventh season, has thrown 28 touchdown passes and led the Vikings to an 11-2 record on the season. Minnesota may not be willing to bring him back, however, as McCarthy will be waiting in the wings when he is healthy.

This will help commence a free-agent bidding war for Darnold's services. Despite the Jets likely already being disqualified due to his past history of struggling in New York, there are some who wonder if the Jets will give him a second chance as a starter.

Bill Barnwell of ESPN believes the Jets can, and should, make a run at signing Darnold in free agency, citing the fact he could give the Jets a quality stopgap quarterback in what is a poor draft class at the position. Imagine Darnold coming back to the same place that had everyone thinking he couldn't play.

ESPN hypes up possible Sam Darnold-Jets reunion in free agency

Darnold was picked No. 3 overall in 2018 by the Jets. While his poor play is absolutely the main reason his tenure with the Jets didn't work out, he got no help from an Adam Gase-coached team that featured players like Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman as top passing attack options.

In all likelihood, Darnold is not as bad as he was with the Jets and Panthers, but not as good as he looks in Minnesota. With the Vikings, Darnold has an elite offensive coach in Kevin O'Connell, a solid offensive line, and the best trio of pass-catching targets in the league in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.

The Jets, if they remain unimpressed by what many regard as a subpar quarterback class in 2025, could end up turning to a veteran quarterback on the free agent market. While names like Justin Fields and possibly Derek Carr could be out there, Darnold will be more in demand than both of them due to his production and age.

If the Jets miss out on him, expect them to draft a quarterback. Hopefully, he can turn into a Sam Darnold type.

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