Adam Gase finally took some responsibility for Sam Darnold’s struggles.
The coach admitted Thursday that he hasn’t been able to develop Darnold over the past two seasons, but also wouldn’t take all the blame for Darnold’s lack of progression.
“I came here to help him and help him develop his career and we haven’t been able to do that. That’s why these games are so important, to help him continue to grow,” Gase said, according to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano.
“I haven’t done a good enough job.”
Gase also pinned some of Darnold’s struggles on the players around him.
“At the same time, that’s what’s frustrating about the quarterback position, you do need 10 other guys to do their job as well,” Gase continued, per Vacchiano. “When he throws one of those really good balls and it’s dropped, that’s frustrating.”
After a promising sophomore season, Darnold’s 2020 campaign could end up his worst as a pro. He’s only thrown for 1,242 yards with just three touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven games after missing four games with a shoulder injury. Darnold is on pace to finish the season with just 2,129 passing yards, five touchdowns and 14 interceptions, all career-worsts. It’s easy to see the Jets moving on from him after the season if they land a top-two pick in the 2021 draft.
Darnold has thrown for 7,131 career passing yards with 33 passing touchdowns to go along with the 36 picks in 33 starts for the Jets since he was drafted third overall in 2018. Those numbers rank near the bottom of quarterbacks who have started at least 30 starts and attempted at least 500 passes since Darnold was drafted.
The Jets hired Gase in 2019 primarily to be an offensive mentor for Darnold after the quarterback had an up-and-down rookie season. Darnold saw slight statistical improvements from Year 1 to Year 2, but a lot of fundamental issues and decision-making miscues continued to exist in his game last year. That’s been the case — and just as frequent — in Darnold’s second year with Gase even though Joe Douglas added a few weapons and a slightly-improved offensive line. The Jets offense, too, regressed with Gase running the show – dropping from 23rd in points and 29th in yards in 2018 to 31st/32nd in 2019 and 32nd/32nd in 2020.
Gase hasn’t just done a good enough job with Darnold, but with the entire offense. Now, the expectation is that the Jets will part with the coach once this potentially winless season comes to an end.