Jets’ Darnold not happy about missing training camp
Sam Darnold is not a happy camper. The New York Jets rookie quarterback was still holding out on the third practice of training camp Sunday, but make no mistake: Darnold is upset about not being on the field with his team, according to sources.
Offsets language — which would provide the team financial protection if they cut Darnold at any point in the first three years of his four-year rookie deal — was the core issue of the team’s contract impasse with CAA agent Jimmy Sexton.
Sexton and CAA were fuming after No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Browns that included offsets, according to sources, because they lost leverage for Darnold.
Offsets in the No. 3 draft pick’s fully guaranteed four-year deal for $30.2 million would prevent the 21-year-old from “double dipping” — earning two paychecks from two different teams after being cut by the one that drafted him.
After losing on the offset issue, Sexton used red herrings to save face, including voidable guarantees.
The Jets are one of a handful of teams (about three others) that tie guarantee forfeitures to PED/steroid/conduct detri- mental to the team fines as a means to void a guarantee.
So it’s not as if Darnold would lose his guaranteed $30 million for wearing his socks too high or keeping his jersey untucked.
The same language exists in contracts for all Jets players, including CAA clients Darron Lee and Avery Williamson.
In fact, Sexton, who represents Williamson, agreed to the Jets’ guaranteevoid structure when he brokered a deal for the linebacker this offseason. Darnold’s contract contains the same language.
Darnold’s situation is about Sexton and CAA selling a win to the quarterback... after they lost on the offsets issue.
In the meantime, Darnold and the Jets suffer. Steelers GFoster’s knee injury not as bad as feared: Pittsburgh Steelers starting left guard Ramon Foster’s right knee injury isn’t as bad as initially feared.
Foster was injured Saturday and left the team’s first padded practice of training camp on a golf cart. Coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday that Foster had his knee evaluated and the injury won’t require surgery.
Tomlin offered no additional details on the injury or a timetable on Foster’s recovery, but team president Art Rooney II said the Steelers are hopeful to have Foster back in time for the regular season.
Regardless, it appears as if the Steelers won’t lose their starting left guard for an extended period of time.
“I never speculate,” Tomlin said. “I’m always hopeful, [and] I was that. So, we got relatively good news.”
The Steelers’ offensive line depth took a hit in the spring when they lost former fourth-round pick Jerald Hawkins to a torn quadriceps.
“It’s really tough,” right guard David DeCastro said of Foster’s injury. “A guy that’s been here that long, and part of the group that we have, it’s difficult, but luckily it’s not too bad and he’ll be back.” Jenkins says little of death in home: New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been trying to keep his focus on football since the body of a 25-year-old friend was found in his New Jersey home last month.
Jenkins’ brother, William H. Jenkins, was charged with aggravated manslaughter days after the body of Roosevelt Rene was found in the football player’s Fair Lawn home on June 26.
Addressing the media on Sunday for the first time about the death, Jenkins said he has not spoken to his brother since he was arrested by New York State Police late last month. He reiterated that he was not in the house when Rene died.
“My main focus has always been football,” Jenkins said. “Things that happened, I can’t control, because I wasn’t there. Just coming back, being with my team, just being excited to be there. I haven’t talked to [his brother], but I will, see where his head was at, and as far as that, I’ll leave it at that. It’s shocking. But, you know, I’ve still got to come and play football.”
Janoris Jenkins, who is entering his third season with the Giants after signing a five-year, $62.5 million contract as a free agent, refused to say much else about the incident.
“It is difficult but at the end of the day you have to be a pro,” Janoris said. “Things are going to happen in life. Some things you can’t control and this is one of those situations.”
Jenkins has been focused since the Giants starting practicing four days ago. He had an interception on the first day.
“It doesn’t make me feel like I am ready,” Jenkins said. “It makes me feel like I am taking steps to being ready. Like, I said continuing to work, getting better and being there for my team.”