Sam Darnold keeps it classy ahead of NY Jets revenge game in Week 5

The NY Jets failed Sam Darnold. We can sit here and debate the specifics about how much blame should be shared by the organization versus the player, but that doesn't change the fact that the Jets failed their former quarterback.

Darnold was hailed as the savior of the Jets franchise after being selected with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Darnold was forced to endure widespread incompetency and ineptitude during his time with the team.

From a dismal coaching staff to one of the worst rosters in the NFL, Darnold's Jets tenure was marred by disarray and dysfunction, leading to his premature departure after three troubled seasons in New York.

Three teams and four years later, Darnold is finally making good on the promise he once showed early in his career. The former USC star, now quarterbacking the Minnesota Vikings, is preparing for a highly-anticipated revenge game against his former team in Week 5.

And in typical Darnold fashion, he took the high road when asked about his former employer.

"I had a lot of opportunities in New York, and I always felt like I could've played better there."

- Sam Darnold

Former NY Jetsquarterback Sam Darnold continues to take the high road

When asked if he believed the Jets failed him, Darnold replied with an immediate "no" before remarking that he "could've played better" with the opportunities he was afforded.

While some of the blame for Darnold's shortcomings obviously has to fall on the player, there's no denying that the Jets did him few favors during his time at Florham Park.

The Jets routinely surrounded Darnold with abysmal offensive lines and receiving corps and hired the much-maligned Adam Gase to be his head coach. Gase would last just two seasons in what was one of the worst coaching jobs in franchise history.

Darnold would soon be traded to the Carolina Panthers where he would once again encounter severe organizational dysfunction, this time led by head coach Matt Rhule. A brief stint as the San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback in 2023 led him to his current job.

Darnold entered the summer competing for the starting job in Minnesota before a season-ending knee injury suffered by rookie J.J. McCarthy made him the undisputed starter. What's followed has been nothing short of miraculous.

Darnold has looked like the best quarterback in the NFL through the first four weeks of the season, leading the NFL in touchdowns with 11 and passer rating (118.9). He's thrown just three interceptions and is averaging an excellent 8.8 yards per attempt while completing nearly 69% of his passes.

If the season were to end today, Darnold would have a strong case for being the NFL's MVP. His seventh-year breakout has been one of the feel-good stories around the league this season.

But as Darnold prepares for his "revenge game" against the Jets, revenge isn't on his mind at all. He's nothing but grateful for his time in New York, even if his former team did its best to unintentionally sabotage his career.

That's just who Sam Darnold is, and it's why many fans have continued to root for him in his post-Jets tenure. Jets fans might not be cheering on Darnold this Sunday in London, but there will always be a sense of appreciation for the former No. 3 overall pick.

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