Here's Why the Jets Are Incredibly Mad About Sam Darnold's 'Ghosts' Comment Airing on MNF

In the midst of the New England Patriots blowing out his New York Jets, quarterback Sam Darnold expressed frustration about the intensity of the opposing defense.

Sure, Darnold was voluntarily wearing a microphone, but just because that's the case does not mean ESPN had a right to air footage of the 22-year-old fully spooked by the onrushing Pats, exclaiming that he was "seeing ghosts," forever dinging his reputation.

Needless to say, the Jets did not respond well to the footage getting blasted.

And that's why the Jets were upset. This wasn't cleared on their side; someone at NFL Films deemed this to be good to go, and the higher-ups aren't exactly thrilled by that decision, either.

Just to be clear, here's what Darnold meant by his offhanded remark.

Le'Veon Bell essentially pointed out that even though the Patriots defense is the best in the NFL and could become one of the best defenses ever, no quarterback ever has comments like those go public. And he's right.

Of course, Bill Belichick's defenses, be they with the Patriots, Browns, or Giants, have intimidated plenty of quarterbacks over the years, young and old. Those quarterbacks have definitely said similar things in confidence, but haven't been exposed by a straggler NFL Films exec who likely believed he had the scoop of a lifetime, without considering the impact.

The NFL and NFL Films never allow those quarterbacks, especially if they're only 22 years old, to become vulnerable by releasing those comments.

The New England Patriots are the best football team of the new millennium, which is why this is just adding fuel to the fire, and only hurting the Jets and their young quarterback.