Joe Namath had some strong thoughts on his former team’s start to the 2020 season.
Speaking on The Post’s “Gang’s All Here” podcast, the legendary quarterback criticized the Jets’ performance through their 0-2 start and also discussed current quarterback Sam Darnold’s mechanics.
In addition to pointing out the team’s inability to execute, the 77-year-old called on Darnold to “play better” and was reluctant to describe the third-year Jet as a “franchise quarterback.”
“In his third year, Sam is not without fault too,” Namath said. “I wasn’t without fault in my 12th year, 11th year. We made mistakes. Sam has got to play better too. … It’s a collective failure so far. It’s not just Sam not playing his football. I don’t know if there is a player on the team that can say they’ve played their best football at this point.
“Getting determined to change something in the work habits, the practice habits, but change is a constant and what they’ve been trying is not working. They need to get better, or they are going to be gone. It’s going to be a long season of frustration. They have got to change. I don’t know about their mental attitude, but they sure as heck have to change their execution failures and be more positive with how they are going about things.”
Namath also said he thought it was “too far ahead” to consider Darnold as the Jets’ franchise quarterback.
“I think that’s too far ahead. [Trevor] Lawrence is going to get picked by somebody,” Namath said of the Clemson star and presumptive No. 1-overall draft pick in 2021. “I don’t think we’re going to be the last-place team in the league. I’m certainly hoping not. As far as Sam so far, it’s a collective effort of failure.
“Some guys, if the running game is going better, the passing game will go better. You [have] got individuals on a series of plays making mistakes. One guy makes a mistake, and a play can break down. They all [have] got to play better. You know, this is the big leagues. If they don’t play better, they will be looking for a job. That’s just the way this sport is and [is] in most sports. Other sports too, that one-eyed monster, that tape you have after the game to look at, it doesn’t tell any lies, man. Each guy gets evaluated every single play, and if they’re not doing the job, then Mr. [general manager Joe] Douglas, they have to find other players.”