Darnold’s turnaround over the past two seasons has been among the NFL’s notable stories. After being the Jets’ No. 3 overall pick in 2018 and struggling there, he moved on to stints with the Panthers, then served as Brock Purdy’s backup with the 49ers, before starting for the Vikings in 2024 and eventually signing with Seattle in 2025. He has since guided the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, highlighting a dramatic arc from early Jets promise to latest championship push.
Former Jets GM Mike Maccagnan publicly questioned the Jets’ decision to trade Darnold, arguing that the quarterback deserved a fuller opportunity in New York. Maccagnan, who drafted Darnold at No. 3 in 2018, told ESPN’s Rich Cimini that he was “sad” the player didn’t fulfill his potential with the Jets, though he acknowledged he wasn’t in the building to say what should have been done differently.
New York’s quarterback future remains unsettled. After moving on from Darnold, the Jets selected Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick in 2021, but Wilson’s development stalled. A plan to start Justin Fields last season also fell apart, leaving the Jets still searching for a reliable long-term solution at the game’s most critical position.
Darnold’s success in Seattle has been a painful reminder for Jets fans and front offices that the quarterback evaluation and development debate continues to loom large in New York. Maccagnan’s perspective gains renewed relevance as Seattle prepares to face New England in a game that carries extra narrative weight for fans of both teams.
As the two teams ready for Super Bowl LX, Darnold’s journey adds a compelling layer to the Patriots–Seahawks storyline and to the Jets’ ongoing quarterback quest, underscoring how a single draft decision can echo across seasons.
