New York Jets: Sam Darnold contract situation is now embarrassing

This situation between Sam Darnold and the New York Jets is now embarrassing. There is no reason for them to not have agreed on a contract.

We all knew that Sam Darnold would be the story of New York Jets camp for 2018. Why wouldn’t it? How long has it been since they drafted a potential franchise quarterback? That’s why everyone wants to talk about him, right?

Camp is now open and Darnold is the talk of training camp. But it’s not for how he is picking up the playbook. It’s not for a beautiful throw to Robby Anderson. It is for the fact that he is not in camp, now officially a holdout.

That’s right, the third pick of the NFL draft still hasn’t signed his rookie contract. Even if it’s for only one day, it’s bad for Sam because he misses reps. It’s bad for the team because they can’t begin to establish chemistry.

You know what else it is? It’s EMBARRASSING. That’s what it is.

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First of all, the Jets have had their eyes on Sam Darnold for three years, writes Albert Breer of MMQB and SI (or heard on the Play Like a Jet podcast).

They have been looking at this kid for three years, didn’t expect to actually land him and had him fall into their collective laps.

Not only that, but they traded their second round in 2019 to move up. As of now they sit with no second round picks.

To say that they made an investment in Sam Darnold is putting it mildly. Let’s just say they need this guy in camp immediately.

But yet, camp begins without Sam Darnold being present. Why? What’s the hold up?

It’s not salary. Rookie contracts are pre-determined in the current CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Per Rich Cimini of ESPN, the deal will be a four year deal, fully guaranteed at $30.2 million with a $20 million signing bonus.

The problem is “offset language”. In basic terms, it means that if Darnold were to get cut and signed by a new team, they could deduct his new salary from their responsibility.

The Jets want language to that effect in the contract, Darnold’s team doesn’t.

Next. Jets Madden ratings on the offense. dark

Not being a business person, I am not going to weigh in on which side is right here. That is for others to talk about when reporting on the business side of the game.

On the football side of things, this is just plain embarrassing. The Jets do all of this work to finally get a quarterback. The fan base is in a frenzy and contract language causes him to miss reps?? This feels very typical Jets.

People that talk about “Same Old Jets” will look at this as a perfect example. Whatever needs to be done, needs to be done NOW. Here’s hoping that this article doesn’t remain relevant for very long because they get him signed quickly.

Right now, it’s embarrassing.

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