The New York Jets are set on preserving Sam Darnold, a third-year signal-caller from USC whom the AFC East franchise selected third in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, Jets head coach Adam Gase, entering his second season with the club, tipped that Gang Green has been discussing quarantining Darnold along with the entire quarterback room.
Per SNY's Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter:
“Once you start sticking traveling in their in the regular season, we do have to keep talking through these types of things and figuring out the best things for us to do.”
Adam Gase said the Jets have discussed quarantining quarterbacks "quite a bit" to keep them safe.
"Once you start sticking traveling in their in the regular season, we do have to keep talking through these types of things and figuring out the best things for us to do."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) July 28, 2020
Darnold, notably, contracted mononucleosis last fall just one game into the 2019 season, missing a total of three games, leaving the Jets extremely depleted at quarterback. By season's end, the California native appeared in 13 total games, tossing over 3,000 passing yards with a 61.9 completion percentage and connecting on 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, going 7-6 in starts.
The Jets are hoping Darnold continues shaping into their gunslinger of the future, investing heavily in a brand-new offensive line this past offseason via free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft (New York selected Louisville freak athlete of a tackle in Mekhi Becton at No. 11.)
In order to get the most out of Darnold, Gase and the Jets will have to keep the soon-to-be third-year quarterback healthy; the team missed the playoffs by just two games after going 6-2 (with Darnold healthy and under center) in the second half of the season last fall. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has spread to several players and coaches, and the prevalence in Major League Baseball this past week has wrecked havoc on clubs like the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies, canceling games after the 2020 season was moved back and shorted to 60 games.
For Gase and the Jets, making extra precautions like quarantining the quarterbacks may be the only option to maintain a healthy Darnold.