GETTING DARN OLD
CONTRACT ISSUES DEEPER THAN OFFSETS
The only signs of Sam Darnold at Jets training camp Saturday were the fans wearing his No. 14 jerseys in the stands.
Darnold was absent again from the second day of training camp as he and the Jets still haggle over his rookie contract. Darnold, who was selected No. 3 overall, is losing valuable practice time and the quarterback competition is going on without him as Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater battle it out.
“I’m just worried about the guys that are here,” coach Todd Bowles said. “The guys that are here are going to play and we’re going to get ready for the season. When he comes in, he comes in.”
The contract standoff between Darnold and the Jets has been characterized as being about one issue — offsets in his contract. But that is only one issue. There is contract language that the two sides are fighting over. It involves how money is paid out, and when and why the team could void Darnold’s guaranteed money. Teams sometimes insert provisions about voiding a player’s contract for a suspension or even a fine. It is unclear specifically what the Jets and Darnold are haggling over, but the language in the contract appears to be the biggest issue.
Darnold is one of two unsigned rookies, along with Bears linebacker Roquan Smith. It sounds like Smith is fighting over something similar, reportedly wanting to make sure the Bears cannot void his guaranteed money if he gets disciplined for lowering his helmet under the NFL’s new rules. Obviously, that is an issue for a linebacker and not a quarterback like Darnold. But, theoretically, the Jets could have language that voids his money for other disciplinary issues.
When Darnold does sign, he will be getting a fouryear, fully guaranteed, $30 million deal, including a $20 million signing bonus.
The Jets are moving on without Darnold for now. Both McCown and Bridgewater had a shaky practice on Saturday. Neither one of them got into a rhythm, and they may be tiring from the added workload of being the only quarterbacks in camp. Typically, teams have four quarterbacks in training camp to split up the throws. Afourth quarterback is often referred to as a “camp arm” because his main function is to lighten the load of the other quarterbacks.
Bowles said the Jets have discussed whether they need to bring in another quarterback, but they do not need to do it yet.
Bowles downplayed any emotion or frustration he may be feeling that his possible franchise quarterback is not on the field yet.
“It’s part of the business,” Bowles said. “You deal with something every year. I’m not disappointed. I have a bunch of guys out here to coach and get ready for the season.”
Darnold’s teammates did not want to weigh in on his contract situation.
“It’s not my business,” wide receiver Robby Anderson said. “I’m not an agent. I’m not a coach. I’m not a GM. That’s out of my control.”
It seems like there is blame on both sides for not having this contract done. The Jets need to figure out a way to get Darnold into training camp. Darnold’s side may have to make some concessions of their own to get it done. After all, team CEO Christopher Johnson basically proclaimed Darnold as a franchise savior in May.
“I think people are going to look back 20 years from now and say that this is the moment that the Jets shifted into a new gear and became a great team,” Johnson said. “I think we’ve got a real future with this kid, and he isn’t even 21 yet. We might have a long time with this young man. I hope so, because right now, I think he is really our future.
“I absolutely think that he can be our quarterback of the future. I’m not the GM. I’m not the head coach. But I can recognize a great football player.”
That great football player needs to get to the practice field soon.