Bill Belichick takes unnecessary shots at the Jets over Sam Darnold

While the NY Jets seem to be getting along just fine after their acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, two members of the franchise's quarterback graveyard are continuing their resurrections. There are only four 3-0 teams in the NFL after Sunday, two of which are Geno Smith's Seattle Seahawks and Sam Darnold's Minnesota Vikings.

Not only had Darnold thrown eight touchdown passes in three games and led the Vikings to a 3-0 record, but he's done so after taking over a team that was down in the proverbial dumps after losing JJ McCarthy for the entire season before the year even began. The Darnold hive is finally able to say their guy has the tools needed to become a star.

As is always the case with the larger NFL media landscape, success of a former Jet is an easy excuse to dunk on everyone's favorite punching bag. Bill Belichick, still public enemy No. 1 at MetLife Stadium after all these years, is not above that.

In Belichick's latest appearance on the Pat McAfee show, he made mention of how many teams around the league like how Darnold played, except for the Jets. The same guy who made Darnold "see ghosts" in the worst game of his career is now claiming that Darnold always had it made in New York.

Bill Belichick needles Jets after Sam Darnold's success with Vikings

Jets fans have been rooting for Darnold to succeed. Unlike Zach Wilson, who ruined two possible playoff teams due to his poor play in a workable offensive situation, Darnold was thrown into a meat grinder immediately. His flashes were also more frequent and of higher quality than Wilson's ones.

The failures of players like Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Bryce Young have created even more of an emphasis on organizations surrounding players with all the tools they need to succeed in the NFL. While that isn't always applicable to all top quarterbacks, Darnold has certainly benefitted from Minnesota.

With the Vikings, he has a top offensive coach in Kevin O'Connell as opposed to former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles or college coach Matt Rhule. With a solid running game, ferocious defense, and the best wide receiver in the game in Justin Jefferson, it's easier to thrive than when Jamison Crowder is your best skill position player.

Even though Darnold hasn't suited up for the Jets in almost a half-decade, his success is yet another reason for Gang Green to get some barbs from their hated nemesis.