Sam Darnold addresses Trevor Lawrence speculation: ‘It’s out of my control’

Sam Darnold is hearing all the Trevor Lawrence noise, but is keeping his focus on this week’s game.

The Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes are heating up as the Jets’ record continues to trend in the wrong direction. The speculation over the Clemson quarterback’s future in New York has now become loud enough for Sam Darnold to hear.

With the Jets at 0-6, they control their own destiny to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Many believe the Jets would take Lawrence and move on from Darnold if they had the top pick in the draft come April. While Darnold has heard the outside noise, he’s keeping his focus on Sunday’s game against the Bills.

“Yeah, you know, I mean, I have social media,” Darnold said of the Lawrence talk, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “I’ve seen some of the things, but … Yeah, we’ve got a game to win this week and that’s all we’re worried about.”

There’s not much else Darnold can really do right now. If the Jets decide to go in a different direction this offseason, there should be other teams interested in his potential. The remainder of the 2020 season could serve as an evaluation period for him when it comes to attracting other teams.

“For me, it’s out of my control,” Darnold said. “I’m here to do my best and help this team win games.”

Darnold has been put in one of the worst situations in the NFL. The supporting cast around him has been lackluster through his three NFL seasons and not many quarterbacks can do well with the Jets have given Darnold. The coaching around him hasn’t been great, either.

In Darnold’s rookie year, he had a defensive-minded head coach in Todd Bowles. The Jets then brought in Adam Gase specifically to develop Darnold, but that has completely backfired. If anything, Darnold has regressed under Gase since he’s arrived. In four games this year, Darnold’s yards per game (198), quarterback rating (70.7) and completion percentage (59.4 percent) are all down from last year.

Despite the numbers, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains isn’t concerned with Darnold’s performance.

“Sam is the least of our worries,” he said, per Newsday’s Al Lannazzone.

However, if Darnold doesn’t start showing improvement and the Jets continue to lose games, Lawrence could be the one under center come next season.

Report: Jets trade LB Jordan Willis to 49ers

The Jets are trading Jordan Willis to the 49ers for a future draft pick.

Joe Douglas has struck his second trade of the week.

According to multiple reports, the Jets are sending linebacker Jordan Willis and a 2021 seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick.

New York now has three sixth-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft with its own, Tampa Bay’s and San Francisco’s. Over the next two drafts, the Jets have 18 total draft picks.

Following Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, the Jets traded Steve McLendon and a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Buccaneers for a 2022 sixth-round pick.

After playing in nine games last season, Willis only played 42 total snaps for the Jets this year and failed to record a single tackle. He has been inactive over the last three games.

Willis was a third-round pick out of Kanas State in 2017 by the Bengals. He lasted two seasons in Cincinnati before the Jets claimed him off waivers in 2019. For Willis’s career, he has 52 total tackles, three sacks and a pass breakup.

With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, don’t expect this to be Douglas’ last trade, as he appears to be cleaning house in order to load up on future draft capital.

0-6 Jets on track for worst point differential ever

The Jets could potentially have the worst point differential ever for an NFL season.

The 2020 Jets could go down as one of the most beatdown teams in the history of the NFL.

Through six games this season, the Jets have a -110 point differential, good for worst in the league. The Jets have been outscored 185-75 by their opponents this year. The next two teams with the worst point differentials aren’t even close to the Jets, either. Jacksonville has a -56 point differential, while Washington’s point differential is -54.

Not even the 2008 Lions (-90) and the 2017 Browns (-63) had a worse point differential through the first six games. Both teams finished 0-16.

If the Jets continue on their current pace for the rest of the season, they will finish with a -293 point differential. That would break the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ all-time worst record of -287, per ProFootballTalk.

It’s safe to say that much of that has to do with Adam Gase’s offense. The defense hasn’t helped the situation, but the Jets are putting up such low point totals that it doesn’t matter what the defense does. New York has only put up 20+ points in one game this season and were the first team to be shut out on Sunday when they lost 24-0 to the Dolphins.

Right now, the Jets own the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, and an 0-16 season doesn’t seem out of the question given the team’s lack of talent and grueling schedule. If Gang Green’s abysmal point differential stays on course, the 2020 Jets could end up being one of the worst teams of all-time.

Jets injury report: Alex Lewis dealing with ‘multiple’ shoulder issues

Alex Lewis sustained a shoulder injury on Sunday that has multiple issues with it.

The Jets’ offensive line is starting to unravel.

Adam Gase spoke to the media on Monday and said that Alex Lewis is dealing with “multiple issues with his shoulder” and is considered week-to-week. According to the Daily News’ Manish Mehta, Lewis suffered a sprained AC joint. Sam Darnold has the exact same injury and has missed the last two games.

Speaking of Darnold, he is continuing to progress in his rehab, as is Mekhi Becton (shoulder). Darnold was able to throw on a side field last week, while Becton was limited in Friday’s practice.

Denzel Mims (hamstrings) took a lot of reps with the scout team last week and there’s a chance he makes his debut this week against the Bills.

Mathias Farley injured his ankle on Sunday and Chuma Edoga suffered a calf injury. Frankie Luvu has a groin injury that could cause him to be out for a while.

Jets, NFL’s last winless team, in control of No. 1 pick in 2021 draft

And then there was one.

Following the Jets’ 24-0 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, New York’s record dropped to 0-6 on the year. They are now the only winless team remaining in the NFL. Both the Falcons and Giants won their Week 6 games after starting the season 0-5.

This is only the second time in the Jets’ history that they’ve started the season 0-6. The other time came in 1996 under Rich Kotite. That team finished the season 1-15.

Since the Jets are the only winless team in the NFL, they currently own the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft.

Heading into Week 6, the Jets were behind the Giants and Falcons for the No. 1 overall pick due to strength of schedule. Now that’s not an issue because the Jets have the worst record in the league. The Giants, Falcons, Texans, Vikings, Jaguars and Washington were all 1-5 as of Gang Green’s Week 6 loss.

New York now controls its own destiny to land the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. If the Jets lose their remaining 10 games, they’ll finish the season 0-16 and have the top pick. Only four teams in the Super Bowl era have had a winless season, though. A win could potentially ruin the Jets’ chances of having the top pick.

Given the Jets’ remaining 2020 schedule, an 0-16 season is a legitimate possibility. At the moment, the Jets only have four remaining games against opponents that are at or below .500.

If the Jets do indeed get the No. 1 overall pick, it’s hard to imagine them not taking Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. He is the top player in this year’s draft and it’s easy to see the Jets moving on from Sam Darnold for him.

How to watch the New York Jets and the NFL this season without cable, Week 6 preview

Here’s everything you need to know to watch the Jets’ Week 6 game against the Dolphins.

The New York Jets will face their second division opponent of the season when they head south to take on the Miami Dolphins.

Originally, these two teams were not supposed to play until Week 10. However, due to NFL schedule changes, this game was moved up to Week 6 and the second game was moved to Week 12.

New York will likely be without Mekhi Becton (shoulder) for a second consecutive game, as he’s listed as doubtful. Sam Darnold (shoulder) is also doubtful with Joe Flacco getting the nod at quarterback for a second straight game.

Bless Austin (calf), Alex Lewis (shoulder), John Franklin-Myers (foot), Quinnen Williams (ankle) and Breshad Perriman (ankle) are questionable, but all are expected to play.

Here’s everything you need to know to watch Sunday’s ballgame as well as information for the rest of the Jets’ 2020 season.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

When: Sunday, October 18
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
TV Channel: CBS
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

How to watch the New York Jets and NFL

FuboTV has complete local NFL coverage (CBS, FOX, ESPN), plus NFL Network and NFL Network Redzone. FuboTV includes every network you need to watch every NFL game in your market.

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New York Jets 2020 Schedule

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS, Loss, 27-17

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m., FOX, Loss, 31-13

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Indianapolis Colts, 4.05 p.m., CBS, Loss, 36-7

Week 4: Thursday, Oct. 1, vs. Denver Broncos, 8:20 p.m., NFL Network, Loss, 37-28

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m., FOX, Loss, 30-10

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m., CBS

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 9: Monday, Nov. 9, vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

Week 10: Bye Week

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m., CBS

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m., CBS

Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams, date, time and network TBD

Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns, date, time and network TBD

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m., CBS

NFL Odds and Betting Lines

NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds last updated Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-9.5)

To Win the Super Bowl: +150000

Jets injury report: Mekhi Becton doubtful, 5 listed as questionable

Mekhi Becton is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with a shoulder injury.

Mekhi Becton took a step in the right direction on Friday, but he’s likely not ready to play just yet.

Becton (shoulder) was limited in practice on Friday after not practicing all week. However, he is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Sam Darnold (shoulder) is also listed as doubtful, but didn’t practice all week. Joe Flacco will make his second consecutive start.

Bless Austin didn’t practice on Friday as well, but it was not injury-related. He has a calf injury and is listed as questionable after being limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

John Franklin-Myers (foot), Alex Lewis (shoulder), Breshad Perriman (ankle) and Quinnen Williams (hamstring) are all questionable. Denzel Mims is not expected to play as well.

As for the Dolphins, Shaq Lawson (shoulder), Durharn Smythe (knee) and Kyle Van Noy (groin) are questionable.

Adam Gase on Avery Williamson’s ‘no one is safe’ comment: ‘He’s just being honest’

Avery Williamson doesn’t think any player is safe on the Jets after Le’Veon Bell’s release.

After Le’Veon Bell’s release on Tuesday, Avery Williamson understands that no player’s job is secure.

Williamson was asked by reporters on Thursday what kind of message Bell’s release sends to the rest of the Jets. Williamson said that “no one is safe” after Bell was let go, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Adam Gase was asked about Williamson’s comment on Friday. Per SNY, the head coach responded by saying, “If that’s what he thinks, that’s what it is. He’s just being honest with you.”

Gase went on to say that every day should be a competition for players and coaches and that they’re all fighting for their jobs. However, Bell’s sudden release left a lot of Jets players surprised.

Bell left after expressing frustrations with his lack of involvement in the offense, and Gase — his fault or not — has a reputation for clashing with players. That has been a theme since his days in Miami.

With an 0-5 record to start the season, it’s hard to see how cutting Bell makes the Jets more competitive. Frank Gore and La’Mical Perine will lead the backfield now, starting with New York’s Week 6 matchup against the Dolphins.

Bell, meanwhile, has joined the Super Bowl reigning champs, the Chiefs, and is in pursuit of his own ring.

Report: Le’Veon Bell narrows list of free agent suitors to Jets’ next 3 opponents

Former Jets running back Le’Veon Bell will sign with the Bills, Chiefs or Dolphins.

Former Jets running back Le’Veon Bell has narrowed his wish list down to three teams.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Bell plans to sign with either the Dolphins, Bills or Chiefs. Bell is expected to make a decision as early as Thursday barring a last-minute change of heart.

If Bell does sign with any of those three teams, the Jets will see him again soon. The Jets play the Dolphins in Week 6 and in Week 12. New York plays Buffalo in Week 7 and Kansas City in Week 8. However, Bell would be ineligible to play this weekend due to the league’s COVID-19 protocols, so he wouldn’t suit up against New York this Sunday if he were to sign with Miami.

The Jets released Bell on Tuesday after he played in 17 total games and earned $28 million. In 2019, Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the Jets under former general manager Mike Maccagnan.

It was almost immediately reported that Adam Gase wasn’t a fan of signing Bell to that deal, and the two appeared to clash over the next season-plus as Bell was minimally and improperly used. Bell and Gase tried to portray a professional relationship, but Bell did some things on social media that bothered Gase.

During training camp, Bell lashed out on Twitter when Gase didn’t let him practice one day because of his hamstring. Bell said there was nothing wrong with his hamstring. This past week, Bell liked tweets about not being a big enough factor in the passing game and about getting traded.

Ultimately, that was the nail in the coffin for Bell’s tenure as a Jet.

USA TODAY NFL Power Rankings: Le’Veon Bell-less Jets remain in dead last

The Jets are still ranked 32nd in USA TODAY’s NFL Power Rankings.

The Jets stood pat in USA TODAY’s latest NFL Power Rankings.

New York is still ranked 32nd following its Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Jets are one of three NFL teams that remains winless, but they’ve looked like the worst team in the league by a mile.

As for the rest of AFC East, the Patriots are ranked fourth, the Bills are 11th and the Dolphins are 18th.

The Jets don’t have a lot going for them right now. They just released Le’Veon Bell on Tuesday following his displeasure over not getting enough touches against Arizona. Sam Darnold and Mekhi Becton didn’t play in Sunday’s game due to shoulder injuries and it’s unclear when they will return.

The team the Jets are running out on the field each week has no firepower. There’s no one on either side of the ball that opposing teams have to fear each week. That makes it a lot easier for teams to do what they want against the Jets and it has shown in each of the five losses.

At this point, it’s going to take an opposing team imploding for the Jets to actually win a game. They don’t have enough pieces on offense or defense to do it themselves.

In this case, the Jets better hope the Dolphins beat themselves this week in order to get their first win of the season.