I think it's legit, whether or not they make a deal or not I think it's one of the most make sense trades you can get. In fact been checking on this for past few days expecting them to shop him.
Most people will say, "well if someone wanted him they could have signed him". Sure, but a few things have changed since then. Despite his bad stats he looks good, if teams had reservations about his commitment or shape those should be erased. The big thing from other teams angle is that the Jets swallowed a chunk of money, he's not cheap, but basically you get him for about $12-13M a year but key is it's almost a year to year deal for any team that might acquire him at this point. Can get out of the deal after 2020 season.
Reason it just makes sense is that other then trying to give Darnold some kind of hope he just does the Jets no good. Unless they magically fixed the OL next year, and if we said at best they fix it in 2021, he'll be 29.
I don't think they'd get much for him, a day three pick if he is traded, but I do believe they are trying, I don't think that is a made up report.