There is no longer any doubt that the New York Jets will select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft. The position is now vacant.
According to multiple reports, the Jets have agreed to send former first-round pick Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2021, a second-round pick in 2022, and a fourth-round pick in 2022.
During Monday's show, Tiki and Tierney discussed the Darnold trade, and what the move means for both franchises moving forward.
"For the growth of the [Jets], I think that this is necessary. I think it's the right move," Tierney said. "You're not going to get a whole better than that for somebody who has thrown the ball to the wrong team too many times. Granted, we all know the circumstances. A complete absence of weapons, some of the worst coaching I've ever seen, an absolute Swiss cheese offensive line. Sam Darnold literally had no chance to succeed here... He was woefully failed by the organization. From the Jets' point of view, I agree with it. I expected this. I'm ready to embrace [BYU quarterback] Zach Wilson. You know that.
"From the Carolina Panthers' perspective, I like this... I didn't really know what they were going to do [with the No. 8 pick], but I knew they were going to do something, because [head coach] Matt Rhule is just not a [quarterback] Teddy Bridgewater guy. He respects him, he likes him, but he's not going to marry himself to Teddy Bridgewater. And I don't disagree with that. Teddy Bridgewater is a slightly above-average talent. I think Sam Darnold's more talented. I think he's more explosive. I think he's got more off-platform, splash plays. I think it's a win for the Jets and I think it's a win for Carolina, and I wish Sam a lot of luck..."
Darnold, who turns 24 in June, didn't live up to New York's high expectations. In three seasons, he went just 13-25 as a starter, with 8,097 total passing yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. He also finished the 2020 season as the NFL's lowest-rated passer (72.7), and his career passing rating of 78.6 ranks 39th out of 39 qualifying quarterbacks since 2018.
Several factors contributed to Darnold's lack of success with the Jets. In three years, he played for two different coaches -- he regressed drastically under head coach Adam Gase -- and never had a legitimate playmaking receiver or a stable offensive line. On top of that, Darnold endured injury and illness, as he missed three games as a rookie (sprained foot), three games in 2019 (mononucleosis), and four games in 2020 (sprained throwing shoulder).
Overall, it was the perfect storm of instability.
"Sam Darnold will land at a better place in Carolina," Tiki said. "I do think Carolina was trying to move up [in the draft], BT, as you mentioned. I do think that they were trying to jump inside the top-four of five to try to get one of these quarterbacks. But they couldn't. They couldn't get there. We know, we heard this -- even though they didn't really say as much -- Teddy Bridgewater's not their guy. And so they need a solution at QB, somewhat of a project to build upon, and Sam Darnold was the best option still available.
"With that being said, I like it a little bit less than you do for Carolina, BT. The only reason is because he's now on his fourth year. This is his fourth season, this year. His rookie contract expires [after 2021]. They're going to probably, I'm going to say not pick up his fifth-year option. Now, Carolina has that option, as opposed to the Jets... But either way, you've got to make a decision on him after a year, and I don't necessarily love that for the Carolina Panthers."
As stated by Tiki, Darnold has one year remaining on his rookie contract, with a total cap hit of $4.7 million, according to Spotrac.com. If Carolina wants to keep him for the 2022 season, they'll have to exercise his fifth-year option by May 3, and it'll come with a cap hit of $18.8 million, fully guaranteed.
The entire Darnold conversation between Tiki and Tierney can be accessed in the video and audio players above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.