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Jets general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh spoke with the press on Thursday. The event takes the place of the annual press conference at the Combine since there is no Combine this year.
When asked about quarterback Sam Darnold, Douglas indicated the Jets are willing to listen to offers teams make.
#Jets GM Joe Douglas said he “will answer the call” when teams call about trading for Sam Darnold.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 3, 2021
While I think people sometimes read too much into press conference comments, this one seems pretty telling to me. If the Jets were set on sticking with Darnold, it would have been easy to say, “Sam is our guy.” In fact I would wager that’s how Douglas would have answered that question a year ago.
Douglas was also asked about the status of Marcus Maye, the team’s MVP, who is about to hit free agency.
When asked about S Marcus Maye, Jets GM Joe Douglas says team has had productive conversations with his representatives.
— Eric Allen (@eallenjets) March 3, 2021
'Our plan hasn't changed.'
Douglas says Jets want Maye long-term.
Maye’s agent made headlines this week criticizing the pace of negotiations on Twitter.
...Yet refuse to take care of their best player, Captain, & team-voted MVP in his prime who had several All-Pro votes...and who played out his entire rookie deal and even changed positions on his contract year (after they got rid of last yrs All-Pro safety). ✌
— Erik Burkhardt (@ErikBurkhardt) March 3, 2021
Douglas did address the tweet directly.
Joe Douglas said he respects Marcus Maye’s agent @ErikBurkhardt and does not see his tweet as a hindrance. Said it is part of the business, part of negotiations. #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) March 3, 2021
Finally Douglas was asked about the potential for a blockbuster trade.
Asked Joe Douglas about trading an abundance of draft picks for one player …
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 3, 2021
Said for #NYJ to be a team that competes yearly for a Super Bowl “we have to hit on our draft picks”
Did not sound like someone open to trading them all.
One might guess this was an indirect question about the potential for trading Deshaun Watson. I’m not sure how much insight this offers, however. With four first round picks in the next two years and an extra third round pick this year, the Jets have an excess of Draft capital if they were interested in making a big trade. Their surplus would almost certainly disappear. They might even find themselves Draft pick poor, but this still might not have the implications of totally mortgaging the future.