The New York Jets have wrapped up what will be remembered as one of the worst seasons in franchise history, finishing 3–14 and setting several unwanted NFL records. Among them: becoming the first team to go an entire season without recording an interception and the first to lose five consecutive games by 23 or more points.
The list of reasons this season fell apart for the Jets and their long suffering fan base seems endless. The 2025 campaign also raised serious questions about past roster decisions, particularly the choice to move on from former first round quarterback Sam Darnold, a move that now appears costly in hindsight.
Darnold, now with the Seattle Seahawks has led his new team to a 14-3 record, earning the number one seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Darnold finished the 2024–2025 regular season with 14 wins as the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, and he followed that up with another 14-win campaign with the Seahawks. In doing so, he became just the second quarterback in NFL history to win 14 regular-season games in consecutive seasons, joining Tom Brady, according to the NFL.
Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky did not hold back when sharing his feelings about the Jets moving on from Sam Darnold.
Appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Orlovsky said, “I believe in Sam Darnold. I think he’s a top-10 quarterback in this league, and I think the Jets should be embarrassed that they let him walk out of their building.”
During a season filled with disappointment, watching the player Darnold has developed into has likely left many within Gang Green wondering where the franchise might be today had it never moved on from the former USC standout.
GettyDarnold led the Seahawks to the #1 seed in NFC.
What the Jets Can Learn From Their Mistake
There is no question that Darnold was not the player he is now back when he played for the Jets, but a lot of the blame was put on him, when looking back at the Jets roster, its hard to argue that the team set him up for success, something they will need to avoid doing if they draft a quarterback in 2026.
In Darnold’s rookie season, the Jets finished 4–12. New York surrounded its No. 3 overall pick with wide receivers such as Robbie Chosen, Quincy Enunwa, and Jermaine Kearse, with Chosen emerging as Darnold’s most productive target after recording 752 receiving yards, according to ESPN.
In 2019 and 2020, the Jets did little to improve the receiving corps around Darnold, with Jamison Crowder serving as the team’s most productive wide receiver in both seasons.
The Jets never provided their young quarterback with a true premium pass catcher, something both the Vikings and Seahawks later did by pairing him with elite talent in Justin Jefferson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With that level of support, Darnold was able to excel.
Beyond the lack of weapons, Darnold also played behind a below average offensive line during his time in New York, a factor that arguably hindered his development even more than the absence of star power at wide receiver.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Jets’ offensive line ranked near the bottom of the league in each of Darnold’s three seasons with the team: 25th in 2018, 28th in 2019, and 29th in 2020.
GettyQB Sam Darnold.
Looking Towards the Future
Looking back at how the Jets surrounded their former third overall pick at quarterback with a below average offensive line and receiving corps, it is notable that he was later able to thrive after leaving New York. If the team decides to select a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, the hope is that the next signal caller will receive far more support than Darnold did during his time with the Jets.
New York’s offensive line heading into 2026 appears stronger than it has been in years, and there is no question the Jets already have a star wide receiver in Garrett Wilson, with the likelihood of adding another impact piece to the position group.
If the next quarterback is indeed a rookie, that player should be set up for a much better chance at success in New York than Darnold ever was.
GettyQB Dante Moore is a potential option in the 2026 NFL Draft for the Jets.
Jets Slammed on ESPN as Sam Darnold Thrives Elsewhere