SF 49ers: 5 quarterbacks fans should cross off 2021 ‘wish’ list
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Sam Darnold, NY Jets
The Niners and NY Jets could end up being friendly trade partners over the next few years with former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh now taking over head-coaching duties in New York.
Perhaps that’s led to speculation the Jets are going to move on from their current starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, made all the more plausible by them owning the No. 2 overall pick in a topheavy quarterbacking NFL Draft class.
CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora told on the Super Bowl LV pregame show also mentioned the Jets could be in play for Deshaun Watson, and their current situation could put together a package that could far outbid whatever San Francisco could potentially put together for the Texans quarterback.
In the same report, though, La Canfora reported the SF 49ers were “very high” on Darnold.
Darnold would be a reclamation project, that’s for sure. Two years of mismanagement under former Jets coach Adam Gase did the former No. 3 overall draft pick a lot of damage, and Darnold wasn’t helped by a lackluster Gang Green roster either.
The problem, however, is the Niners wouldn’t be interested in trading away any noteworthy draft capital for Darnold’s services, especially considering they’d have to be giving up such capital while also eating $5-plus million on the quarterback’s remaining contract after being traded.
It would be one thing if San Francisco inked Darnold as a low-risk, low-budget free agent a year from now.
But certainly not via a trade this offseason.