Denzel Mims is cool with riding with Sam Darnold in 2021.
Mims was on SportsMap Radio’s “The Jake Asman Show” recently and showed his support for the Jets’ incumbent quarterback. The rookie wide receiver only played in seven games with Darnold in 2020 but is confident in his ability. When Mims got pressed about Darnold’s uncertain future with the Jets, he said Darnold can thrive either in New York — or elsewhere if that’s the route Gang Green takes.
“I think Sam is a great quarterback,” Mims said. “I don’t really have nothing bad to say about Sam. I think he’s a great quarterback. The kid does a lot of really great things, so whatever happens to him if he’s here or somewhere else, I think he’ll be a great quarterback wherever he lands.”
In the seven games that Mims and Darnold played together, they only connected 16 times for 224 yards.
The limited connections had more to do with Darnold than Mims. Darnold has a tendency to lock onto one receiver and he didn’t go through his progressions well this past season. Mims routinely got himself open — and demonstrated he can make plays in traffic — but Darnold didn’t find him often enough. Part of that had to do with the limited time that Darnold had in the pocket, though.
Mims was also asked if he’s heard the rumors about Deshaun Watson potentially getting traded to the Jets. While Mims didn’t give a clear-cut answer to the question, he did say he will back Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas’s decision under center.
“I put all my trust in coach Robert and Joe Douglas,” Mims said. “So whatever decision they make, I know it’s best for the team, so I’m 100 percent behind them on that.”
Mims separately told SNY that, generally speaking, “you want to play with” a “top-five” quarterback, but he again left the decision-making up to New York’s brass.
“Whoever I have, I’ll be thankful for it,” the receiver said.
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