Panthers' Darnold, Jets' Wilson primed for Week 1 faceoff

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson during rookie minicamp. Handout Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers' Sam Darnold, Jets' Zach Wilson primed for Week 1 faceoff in Carolina

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 5/12/21

When the New York Jets spent their 2018 third-overall pick on Sam Darnold, they hardly expected that the former USC quarterback would be their 2021 Week 1 opponent.

But here we are.

The NFL released its Week 1 schedule Wednesday morning, and the Jets will be paying a visit to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 1.

pic.twitter.com/sOR8rYfC7R
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) May 12, 2021

This should be fun.

https://t.co/NOb4by1J4r pic.twitter.com/srD9CrhAvJ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 12, 2021

New York traded Darnold to Carolina in early April and received three picks (2021 sixth-rounder plus 2022 second- and fourth-rounder) in return. That set the stage for the Jets to nab BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the second-overall pick April 29.

Darnold never found his footing as a Jet. The 23-year-old threw for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions while posting a 13-25 record across 38 starts. However, he has already begun endearing himself to Panthers faithful: