Jets coach Adam Gase admits he let QB Sam Darnold down

NEW YORK — Jets coach Adam Gase had a brief flash of humility when answering questions about Sam Darnold’s stalled career on Thursday.

“Yeah, I came here to help him, help him develop his career and we haven’t been able to do that,” Gase said.

On either side of that quote, Gase either rejected the premise Darnold had failed or rationalized why he had. He cited Darnold’s unlikely bout of mono in 2019 and blamed his offensive line and wide receivers.

“Last year, mono, if you’re in Vegas, that’s not one you probably bet on,” Gase said. “At the same time, that’s what’s frustrating sometimes about the quarterback position is, you do need 10 other guys to do their job as well. It’s just like when he throws one of those really good balls and we have a drop, that’s frustrating.”

Those were all normal quotes for Gase. The admission that he let Darnold down, however, was unusual. As far as Darnold, the QB appeared willing to go down with Gase to the end.

“I take full responsibility for the way I’ve played, I haven’t played well enough,” he said Thursday. “We have great people in this organization. Everyone’s gonna take blame for parts of us not winning games.”

Darnold has thrown 142 straight passes without a touchdown, the longest streak in the NFL. He ranks last in the league in passer rating, touchdown percentage, adjusted net yards per attempt and QBR. He’s second to last in interception percentage.

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