DraftKings Sportsbook has released the odds for where quarterback Sam Darnold will begin his fourth NFL season, and the favorite may be surprising to some, but not all.
The Jets employing Darnold to start the 2021 campaign is at +150, while the Indianapolis Colts own the next-highest odds to begin the year with Sam at +400.
Where will Sam Darnold start the season? ? pic.twitter.com/7EcqgQLwip
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) February 11, 2021
Ironically enough, out of the 12 teams listed, five were in the postseason this past year — Indianapolis, Washington, Chicago, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh. Regardless, each organization needs a quarterback for the long-term future, if not immediately. Listed teams that are very much likely to enter the 2021 season with a different starting quarterback than who they currently employ include the Colts, Football Team, Bears, Patriots, and Eagles.
You could include the Texans in that conversation given the Deshaun Watson situation, but it’s still unclear if Houston will end up trading the superstar quarterback. The organization would request a significant haul, one that teams may not be able to meet. Not to mention, the Texans don’t carry interest in parting ways with Watson anyway.
Of course, the Jets wouldn’t just release Darnold, but instead, look to send him away via the trade market. According to the belief of ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets could acquire a late first-round pick for him.
This brings us back to the fact that a number of 2020 playoff teams (and therefore teams that possess a late first-round pick) may need new quarterbacks. Thus, there’s a chance the Jets could trade Darnold to a team like Washington or the Colts for what would be the No. 19 or 21 overall pick, respectively.
The Jets would then own a trio of 2021 opening-round picks; they already possess the No. 2 and 23 selections, the latter of which is from the 2020 trade of Jamal Adams.
But regardless of any trade scenario, the DraftKings Sportsbook oddsmakers believe there’s a decent chance Darnold remains in Florham Park. If that becomes the case, he’ll be working under new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who was previously the passing game coordinator in San Francisco and will be bringing over elements of Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
In the event Darnold is a Jet in 2021, Gang Green will likely look to draft at least one offensive weapon in the first round, whether it keeps its No. 2 pick or trades it to, say, Carolina and moves back to No. 8 overall. The Jets would need to build around Darnold and provide him with the help he needs if further banking on his development becomes the ultimate outcome.
Place your wager on where you believe Sam Darnold will begin the 2021 season at DraftKings Sportsbook here.
