Jets GM: Darnold is 'our quarterback for the future'
New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas remains confident in quarterback Sam Darnold.
The Jets are winless and Darnold is struggling, but Douglas believes his team hasn't done enough to upgrade the signal-caller's supporting cast.
"He's our best quarterback and our quarterback for the future," Douglas said Tuesday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.
"... My feeling on Sam hasn't changed. We have to do a better job of surrounding him with talent," he added, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Douglas said one of his mistakes was letting wide receiver Robby Anderson go as a free agent this past offseason.
Anderson, who led the Jets in receiving during two of the past three seasons, is on pace to set career highs with the Carolina Panthers. He's recorded 51 catches and 688 yards through eight games this season.
"That's on me," Douglas said, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. "Honestly, we would all love to see Robby here doing what he's doing."
Darnold has regressed during his third season, completing 58.6% of his pass attempts for 1,045 yards and three touchdowns against six interceptions over six games.
Here are his completion percentages and per-game averages since being drafted third overall:
| Year | Games | Comp % | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 13 | 57.7 | 220.4 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
| 2019 | 13 | 61.9 | 232.6 | 1.5 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 | 58.6 | 174.2 | 0.5 | 1 |
Meanwhile, the Jets are 0-8 while ranking 32nd in scoring offensively and 28th defensively.
"We're all frustrated with where we are right now," Douglas said. "But everyone in this building has to own it. … I certainly take my fair share of the responsibility."
The Jets currently hold a 57% chance of landing the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, according to ESPN.