The New York Jets are expected to be in the market for a quarterback in 2025.
One of the potential free agents often linked to the team is veteran Sam Darnold. However, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic shut down any speculation of a reunion, bluntly stating, “That’s not happening.”
A Hollywood-Style Jets Reunion Canceled
The idea of Darnold returning to the Jets in 2025 does carry a certain poetic appeal.
In 2018, the Jets traded up with the Indianapolis Colts, moving from the No. 6 to the No. 3 overall pick ahead of the NFL Draft. They used that pick to select Darnold out of USC, expecting him to be their franchise quarterback.
However, things didn’t go as planned. Darnold’s tenure with the Jets included flashes of potential but was ultimately derailed by inconsistency and a bout with mononucleosis—look that one up, kids.
Over three seasons with the Jets, Darnold completed 59.8% of his passes, threw for 8,097 yards, and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 45:39. The promise was there, but the results were not.
By 2021, the Jets faced a critical decision: trade the No. 2 overall pick to build around Darnold or move on. General manager Joe Douglas chose the latter, sending Darnold to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, and a 2022 fourth-round pick.
Since leaving New York, Darnold has bounced around the league, with stops in Carolina and San Francisco before landing with the Minnesota Vikings.
In 2024, Darnold is enjoying a career resurgence with the Vikings. In 10 starts, he has completed 67.9% of his passes for 2,387 yards, with 19 touchdowns against 10 interceptions—a career-best performance.
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings during the offseason. Despite his success, his stint in Minnesota was always viewed as a temporary arrangement. The Vikings traded up with the Jets in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall, signaling their long-term plan.
Jets’ QB Options Narrow for 2025
While Darnold is unlikely to stay in Minnesota, a return to New York doesn’t appear to be on the table either.
If the Jets don’t pursue Darnold, their quarterback options for 2025 look limited. The free-agent pool includes Darnold and Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Russell Wilson. However, Wilson is having a strong season in Pittsburgh and is expected to remain with the team.
Beyond that, the Jets will face a less-than-inspiring array of second and third-tier quarterback options. The NFL Draft could provide an alternative, but the Jets may not pick high enough to grab one of the top prospects. Even if they do, scouting reports suggest the 2025 quarterback class is relatively weak.
If the Jets stand pat, Tyrod Taylor is expected to lead the offense in 2025. While Taylor could serve as a bridge option, it’s unlikely to lead to much success on the field, potentially forcing the Jets to postpone their long-term quarterback search until 2026.
