New York Jets acting owner Christopher Johnson is on the Sam Darnold hype train after Week 1 of the 2018 season.
The New York Jets have remained docile since their two AFC championship game appearances in 2009 and 2010. Then suddenly something changed and the eventual result was Sam Darnold.
It can’t be a coincidence that part of that change was Christopher Johnson taking over control of the Jets with his brother Woody Johnson heading over to the United Kingdom as part of President Donald Trump’s staff.
In Christopher’s short time at the helm, we saw perhaps “the most important decision” that the Jets have made in a long time:
“I think the trade up to No. 3 was pivotal,” Jets CEO Christopher Johnson said, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “It’s maybe the most important decision that the organization has made in a long time. Certainly in years.”
Of course, that move was the Jets trading up from pick No. 6 to pick No. 3. While tangibly it was only three draft slots different, it cost the Jets a king’s ransom of sorts (their first-round draft choice, along with three second round picks).
The early return on investment is certainly promising following the reaction of the Jets’ massive win over the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football (48-17). While the team has continued to downplay the hype train that has taken over the national media, it must feel good that the league is talking so highly of the Jets and Sam Darnold.
To hit a homerun, sometimes you need a bit of luck. The Jets traded up to No. 3, not No. 1. The Jets would have their third choice at quarterback in a worst-case scenario. Fortunately, they got lucky, took a calculated risk and it paid off.
While the Jets have taken quarterbacks in the NFL Draft previously and thrust high expectations on said passers (Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith), this time feels different.