even Darnold didn't look so bad 2nd half of the season when he returned at least for Carolina.
People keep saying this because of a few decent fantasy games to end the season - Sam Darnold was terrible in Carolina both seasons.
I think these takes on Darnold are after watching how awful ZW was. I mean Darnold is awful but looks like a polished pro with upside compared to Wilson - he was that bad
Um no. If people are saying it, it's because it's true. And I'm not sure you quite get what "he didn't look bad' means. It's not the same as saying "he was great". And overall in those last 6 games, 4 of which thy Panthers won, Darnold played, not that bad. 3 of the games were actually above average. But he was easily better down the stretch than Baker Mayfield was during the season. That's who most people are comparing him with because that was his main competition, not Zach Wilson.
There's no way to directly compare ZQ and SD last season since they were on different teams. But we can use Baker Mayfield as a baseline, because he played for the same team.
My only point was, the Jets misused Darnold pretty bad, and stunted his development. Then they did the same with Wilson. They are two completely different players. Wilson has all the physical tools in the world, on par with the likes of Mahomes, well, maybe not on par, but in that range. But his mental and emotional tools are a bit lacking, he lacks focus sometimes on the field, and I'm not sure what was going on with the playbook, but it seemed at times he didn't know it so well or perhaps got nervous.
Darnold on the other hand, has nice tools, a decent arm, but no way comparable to ZW. Not in the same stratosphere as far as physical tools. But Darnold always had a better grasp on the mental side. Now, his vision is pretty bad, whereas,I think Wilson has good vision just terrible decision making. Darnold is definitely a quicker study, better but not great decision making, but worse vision. And a worse arm, not a bad arm, but he can't squeeze the ball like ZW can.
Anyway.... we can't say what would happen with Darnold on last season's Jet's team. I think he would have been their best QB really and things might have finally clicked. Wilson on the other hand, I think would have been even worse playing in Carolina. What Wilson needed, and maybe what he still needs, is like a full season or two sitting behind a vet, watching, learning from them, all the while studying his playbook and a variety of other methods and techniques. That's all he should have been doing his first year.
On the surface, getting a 26 year old league MVP QB certainly seems like a no-brainer. But the reality is that if a good QB is available, there's something "wrong" (either with the player or what would be required to get him)
In this case, its sort of both. Jackson obviously has durability concerns and his style of play makes it unlikely that it has an incredibly long career. One more bad leg injury and you could be paying a good but not great passer (outside of his MVP season) with diminished mobility $45+ a year. That's obviously a disaster. The Ravens have the leverage to franchise him and start a bidding war among the teams that want him. Now, if the Jets only have to give up #13 and their first rounder next year (plus maybe some sort of mid-round pick) I think you have to do it. This team with (a healthy) Jackson at he helm is a deep playoff contender, so next year's pick would be in the mid 20's. IMO, you roll the dice and do that.
Carr is a totally different scenario. The Raiders have no leverage. He has a no trade clause and they've already expressed their desire to move on. Carr himself has no incentive to help the Raiders get rid of him (by allowing a trade that nets them draft picks) so he can just say he'll decline every trade and wait for them to cut him. Of course, on the field, Carr has his own issues. (never been a star even in his prime, bad in cold weather, etc.).
The only "perfect" QB situation is that you draft one, develop him, build a loaded team around in years 3 and 4 (before he needs to get paid) and take your shot. And then you hope that once you have to pay him, he's a top 5-10 guy that can carry you to a title. Unfortunately, the Jets have shown a complete inability to do that. So now they're desperate.
If you do somehow land Jackson (which I still think is a pipe dream), you then have to build a championship team around him. So the Jets would need to fit him under the cap while re-signing Q, building a good o-line (which means signing a center, a tackle and praying that Becton can make it through a season) and adding at least 2 pieces to the D. Can they do that? I have no idea. It seems l like some teams have the ability to totally fudge the salary cap while others (like the Jets) have to make decisions on guys even though they're barely a .500 team.
Will be interesting regardless....but at the end of the day, I do think it will be Carr as a Free agent. Not a sexy pick, but I think you can make the playoffs with a good team around him.
Yea agree with your assessment. I'm not as certain it will be Carr but Carr would fit the mold for sure. IF ZW stands a chance at all to still become a starting QB, it would be sitting behind someone like Carr for a year or 2. I guess we will see what there plans are. If they sign a starting QB to a long contract, they've officially given up on ZW. If it's like a one year, maybe not. That dude seriously needs a mentor though. Or a psychologist. Or both.