Jets’ Gase says he hasn’t done enough to help Darnold grow
It was a coach-player union that made the New York Jets excited about what could be.
Adam Gase was the hotshot offensive guru, and Sam Darnold the young gun quarterback and face of the franchise.
Instead, the Jets can only lament what should have been.
“It’s on me to get him to play better than what he’s played,” Gase said Thursday. “And so far, I haven’t done a good enough job.”
The fallout from that will likely be significant this offseason. With the Jets sitting at 0-11, Gase is almost certainly gone after the regular- season finale. And, with Darnold struggling to progress in his third season, New York will likely move on from him, too.
The Jets currently hold the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft in April and it’s looking increasingly more likely that Clemson star QB Trevor Lawrence will be there for them to make a franchise-changing pick. That would mean Darnold will be out the door at some point, too, leaving behind him a trail of unfulfilled potential.
Darnold has thrown just three touchdown passes this season and none in his past four games, spanning 19 quarters. He has also been intercepted eight times, making decisions many would argue a thirdyear QB shouldn’t make. And his 64.0 quarterback rating ranks last in the NFL among players who have started four or more games. SEAHAWKS’ WR GORDON C O N D I T I O NA L LY R E I N - STATED >> Coming off his sixth NFL suspension since 2013, wide receiver Josh Gordon has been conditionally reinstated and will be able to join the Seattle Seahawks for the last two weeks of the regular season. Gordon, 29, has been suspended for substance abuse five times. He applied for reinstatement in June and resigned with the Seahawks in September, agreeing to a one-year deal. Prior to his most recent suspension, Gordon caught seven passes for 139 yards in five games for Seattle last season. STEELERSLBDUPREE(KNEE) TO MISS REST OF SEASON >> Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed. The NFL Network reported earlier on Thursday an MRI confirmed that Dupree suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament in the Steelers’ 19-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens
The noncontact injury occurred in the second half of Wednesday afternoon’s game in Pittsburgh.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS >> The unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs are closing in on clinching their respective divisions going into Week 13. The Steelers, who are 11-0, can wrap up the AFC North with a win over Washington on Monday and a Browns loss against Tennessee on Sunday. The Steelers can clinch a playoff spot with a win or losses by the Raiders, Dolphins or Colts on Sunday.
The Chiefs can take the AFC West again with a win over the Broncos on Sunday night and a Raiders loss to the winless Jets. Or earn a playoff spot with a win. And in the NFC, the Saints, who have won eight in a row, can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a loss by the reeling Bears.
DOLPHINS’ FLORES: TUA GAME-TIME DECISION VS. BENGALS >> Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be a gametime decision on Sunday against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals, coach Brian Flores told reporters.
Tagovailoa, 22, injured his left thumb after inadvertently hitting his throwing hand on a helmet during practice drills last week. Ryan Fitzpatrick started on Sunday and guided the Dolphins (7- 4) to a 20-3 win over the New York Jets.
ALSO >> Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow had knee surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, the team said. ... Myles Garrett passed the practice test. Cleveland’s defensive star was welcomed back with open arms by the Browns this week after he missed two games with COVID-19.