NFL Trade Verdict
New York Jets Win
Sam Darnold started 13 games in 2021 with a 4-7 record, posting a 67.8 passer rating before Ben McAdoo's offense stalled. He was released the following year without a second start in Carolina
Carolina Panthers Received
- player Sam Darnold
New York Jets Received
- pick 2021 6th round pick (226th overall subsequently traded, Trey Smith ), 2022 2nd round pick (38th overall subsequently traded, Arnold Ebiketie ) and 2022 4th round pick (111th overall, Max Mitchell )
Trade Analysis
New York flipped the second-rounder for additional capital and used the fourth on Max Mitchell. Most critically, the picks helped fuel their rebuild toward the 2022 quarterback carousel while Darnold's departure finally closed a troubled chapter