Jets fans were not the only ones starving after the team’s first win of the season pushed the organization out of position for the right to draft Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 NFL draft.
Legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath admitted on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” Tuesday he was excited about the opportunity to land number one choice and see star Clemson QB in green and white.
“After watching them play all season until then, I did not expect them to win a game,” Namath said two days after the Jets’ shocking upset over the Rams.
“Especially against the rams that day. Of course, I was looking forward to being in the No. 1 draft position, which was very beneficial for our team. So I was surprised. ”
Namath’s disappointment comes after the Jets avoided becoming the third 0-16 team in NFL history. However, the victory tied the Jets with the Jaguars to the worst record in the league (1-13), and Jacksonville owns the strength as a schedule-tie-breaker.
“I’m not trying to talk down Sam Darnold. He will be in the league for 15 to 20 years. Who knows. He is a good player, “said Namath. “But this guy from Clemson, Lawrence, he’s special. He is very special. I think I saw him run out of Notre Dame last week.
“He has speed. He has been contacted by his passport. He’s smart. He walks everywhere. He has not shown a negative that I have seen in the last few years. And when you get a chance to get such an animal on your team with these qualities, I do not know how to say no. ”
Unless the Jaguars win one of their last two games of the regular season, the Jets now have a decision to take number 2 in the draft. Ohio State’s Justin Fields was long thought to be a lock as the second overall pick, but in recent weeks, BYU’s Zach Wilson has proven to be an alternative option.
The Jets could also trade with the pick and consider other options at the quarterback position, be it another year with Darnold or a stopgap-free agent.