NFL News: Sam Darnold makes major admission about the Jets’ ongoing struggles at the QB position

It was 2018, and a young Sam Darnold was emerging as one of the NFL’s fresh new faces. Selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the first round, the former USC standout arrived in New York with hopes of cementing himself as the Jets‘ franchise quarterback in the Big Apple — a goal that, unfortunately for him, never quite materialized.

The shortcomings at the quarterback position weren’t limited to Darnold’s tenure in New York. The struggles became even more apparent in the years that followed — including with Zach Wilson under center and, more recently, during the past two seasons with veteran Aaron Rodgers leading the first team.

When asked by reporters about the reasons behind the Jets‘ ongoing instability at such a crucial position, the current Seattle Seahawks signal-caller admitted that having the right support system is key to fully showcasing a player’s abilities.

“That’s a great question,” Darnold said to Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon. “It’s kind of what everyone’s trying to figure out. Franchises all over the NFL are still trying to figure it out and so to sit here and act like I know everything about it, I’m not going to pretend to do that. But, I think it’s definitely important to have good people and good players around the quarterback. Whether it’s the offensive line, running backs, receivers, or a good defense.

Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California.

“Having really good coaching is important as well. Having a good scheme. There’s so many different factors that go into it, especially when you have a young quarterback coming into the league. Especially now, I feel like college is so different from the NFL. I think that’s the biggest thing, just having a good support system.”

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The new challenge for Darnold

Sam Darnold was undoubtedly one of the pleasant surprises of last NFL season, leading his Minnesota Vikings to a contender status few saw coming. While many expected him to stay on for another year, the quarterback ultimately chose a different path for his future.

The Seattle Seahawks will now be the team where the former Jets quarterback will look to fully showcase his talent — a franchise aiming to return to the spotlight after a surprisingly strong campaign last season.

While many may have thought his career was doomed after a disappointing first stint in the NFL with the New York Jets, Darnold has shown remarkable resilience in recent months and expressed genuine excitement about this new challenge in the league.