Sam Darnold’s post-Super Bowl comments have included plenty of reflection on his long and impressive career path, the enjoyment that came with finally winning it all, and the long road that took him from a tough start to the NFL’s top man.
And one of the more telling moments came when the former New York Jets quarterback was asked about the reaction from the very fan base that once watched him through the growing pains of a franchise quarterback, one that he failed in with the Jets.
Speaking with reporters in Seattle days after the Super Bowl win, Darnold admitted that the support he’s received from Jets fans in the aftermath of his title run has really meant a lot. While it sucks to see him win with a different team, it’s great to see Darnold find this type of success.
“Thank you,” Darnold said, per Bro Bible. “The biggest thing is that’s all you can ask for as a player, is to feel supported, especially by the team that drafted me. I always look at myself and feel like I could have done a lot more for that franchise when I was there. The fact that they’re able to support me even through that means a lot.”
Darnold’s time in New York was defined as much by situation as it was by performance. Drafted No. 3 overall in 2018, he arrived as the Jets’ next hope to fix the quarterback position. Instead, he dealt with coaching changes, roster turnover, and offensive instability that made things just as bad as they’ve ever been.
Turnovers and injuries didn’t help, and neither did the lack of continuity around him. By the time his tenure ended, both sides needed something else, and the Jets went with a new quarterback plan while Darnold got a fresh start elsewhere.
It took time for him to get to where he is now, but it definitely seems to have worked out. Even more so, his comments made it clear that his early years in New York still carry emotional weight, even if they didn’t work out.
Hopefully, the Jets will be able to win one and forget about the past.