Sam Darnold Discusses His Future, Says He Wants Be a 'Jet for Life'

In the midst of his third season with the New York Jets, who haven't won a game this season, quarterback Sam Darnold doesn't want to consider playing for another team—though he may not have a choice.

"I love it here," he said Monday, per Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press. "I love the people here. I love living here. I've always said it, that I want to be a Jet for life. But again that decision isn't up to me."

The Jets are likely to come out of this season winning something—the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The consensus top pick is Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who could be Darnold's immediate replacement. 

On Monday, Darnold said he wasn't concerned with the draft talk.

"I mean, I believe in myself as a quarterback and as a player in this league," he said. "Obviously, that decision isn't up to me, but I'm always going to believe in myself. I have the utmost confidence in myself to be able to go out there and play good football on Sundays." 

The 23-year-old, who was drafted by the Jets with the No. 3 pick out of USC in 2018, has appeared in just nine games this season as he battles shoulder issues. The California native has tallied 1,560 yards and five touchdowns on 156-of-267 passing. 

He had a season-low 132 yards on Sunday in a 40-3 blowout against the Seattle Seahawks, and it marked the fifth game this season in which he has failed to throw a touchdown pass. 

When Darnold was on the sidelines, the team turned to veteran Joe Flacco, who tallied six touchdown passes across his four starts, including three in a 30-27 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 9. 

Darnold and the Jets have outings against the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns and the Patriots to close out the 2020 campaign.