Geno Smith and Sam Darnold appear to be rooting for each other.
Few can relate to what they’ve been via, having been drafted by the Jets to be their new quarterback just for them to get swallowed up in Gang Inexperienced distress.
The 2 managed to resurrect their careers, and after the Vikings’ win over the Seahawks on Sunday, they confirmed one another appreciation for what they’ve completed.
An NFL Movies video confirmed the 2 hugging after the sport, with Smith telling Darnold, “I really like your journey, bro.”
Darnold informed Smith to “hold going” as Smith tries to steer Seattle again to the playoffs.
Smith, 34, is in his third yr because the Seahawks’ starter, having gained Comeback Participant of the 12 months in 2022 when he was a full-time starter for the primary time in eight years.
The Jets drafted Smith within the second spherical in 2013 and he began 16 video games as a rookie, throwing for 3,046 yards, 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
The subsequent season, Smith had 2,525 yards passing, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions whereas the Jets went 3-10 in his 13 begins.
That might mark the top of Smith’s time because the Jets’ starter, as he was sucker-punched by teammate IK Enemkpali over a cash dispute in August 2015. Smith suffered a damaged jaw and by no means reclaimed the beginning job after he recovered. He left as a free agent after the 2016 season, ending a roller-coaster tenure which included lacking a group assembly whereas he was on the films.
After stints with the Giants and Chargers, Smith joined the Seahawks in 2019 and took over for Russell Wilson after three years as his backup.
Expectations had been excessive for Darnold because the No. 3 total decide within the 2018 draft, however he additionally struggled, throwing 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions in three seasons, throughout which the Jets went 13-25 with Darnold beginning.
Darnold’s tenure included an unlucky mic’d-up second throughout “Monday Evening Soccer” towards the Patriots wherein he was caught saying he was “seeing ghosts.”
The Jets traded Darnold to the Panthers in 2021, and whereas he didn’t fare significantly better throughout two years in Carolina, he spent final season as a backup with the 49ers in a reset yr earlier than becoming a member of the Vikings.
With first-round decide JJ McCarthy struggling a season-ending knee harm throughout the preseason, Darnold took the reins and has led Minnesota to a 13-2 mark whereas throwing for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
So whereas the Jets are nonetheless trying to find their long-term reply at quarterback, two of their former starters have turned their careers round.
