Jets Angry With Sam Darnold's 'Ghosts' Quote Airing While Being Mic'd Up on MNF is Peak Jets

Sam Darnold was mic'd up during Week 7's Monday Night Football matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, and it didn't go as planned.

Darnold's confidence was likely already shaken after turning the ball over five times en route to being shut out at home. Now he will also be the subject of ridicule for his comments on the sideline during the game, and the Jets aren't happy about it.

Gase on ESPN mic’d up deal: "I don’t know how we can allow our franchise quarterback to be put out there like that.” Says they will reevaluate their cooperation with network. #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) October 22, 2019

Let's be honest, Darnold was going to be on the receiving end of a lot of criticism with or without his "seeing ghosts" quote being televised mid-way through the game.

Was it unfair for ESPN to air that clip? Probably. Should the Jets be upset that their young franchise quarterback was exposed for being transparently honest with his coaches and teammates on the sideline? Not unreasonable.

But the team signed off on letting him be mic'd up for a game against the best team in the NFL during a primetime matchup. What did everyone expect?

Adam Gase said he was not happy that ESPN decided to air Darnold's "I'm seeing ghosts" comment. "It bothered me. It bothered the organization." Said team will think hard about mic'ing up players in the future.
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) October 22, 2019

Jets coach Adam Gase's displeasure with this situation feels like a waste of time and energy. His time would be better spent focusing on getting his team ready to play the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday with only six days to prepare.

Additionally, if Darnold can't overcome being teased over his own comments, then perhaps he isn't cut out to be the starting signal caller for a team that plays in the media capital of the world.

Furthermore, the fact that the Jets appear to be more upset with ESPN's decision to air Darnold's comments than they are with losing 33-0 on national television proves the they are still years away from being competitive in the AFC East.