While the Jets and Zach Wilson are off to a bumpy start, Sam Darnold has begun his career in Carolina with a bang.
The ex-Jet and his new team are 3-0, and Darnold is a huge reason why. With wins over the Jets, Saints and Texans, the Panthers haven’t beaten any great teams, but Darnold has played clean, winning football. The sample is small, but he looks like an entirely different quarterback now that he’s free of Adam Gase and the lackluster talent the Jets surrounded him with for three years.
Darnold’s early success in Carolina doesn’t necessarily mean the Jets were wrong to trade him and draft Wilson. Restarting the quarterback position’s contract clock was the practical move for Gang Green, and a change of scenery felt best for all involved.
However, Darnold’s booming start with the Panthers does highlight just how bad he had it in New York. He made plenty of mistakes on his own, but these six stats make it clear he didn’t have much help with the Jets.
