Report: Jets, Darnold's agent at odds over offset clause

A dispute over offset language is holding up a contract agreement between the New York Jets and Sam Darnold, who they drafted third overall in the 2018 draft, sources told ESPN's Rich Cimini.

The Jets are reportedly intent on including an offset clause in the contract, which would absolve them from paying the quarterback's full salary if he gets cut and subsequently signs elsewhere before his rookie deal expires. Darnold's agent, Jimmy Sexton, is reportedly resisting those efforts.

An offset means the next team to sign a player would foot the bill on any or all of the guaranteed money owed a player who has been released.

It would be abnormal for an NFL team to sign a rookie contract that doesn't contain offsets, and unprecedented for the Jets. They could lose leverage with future draftees if they cave in to the demands from Darnold and his agent.

New York opened training camp Friday without its young pivot, who was expected to compete with veterans Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown for the starting job.

"Any time you're not here, you lose something," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said after Friday's practice, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "It's been a day, obviously when he comes in, we'll get him caught up. But right now, I've got 79 other guys to worry about."

Bowles added that he wasn't frustrated by Darnold's absence.

Darnold's agent works for Creative Artists Agency, the same firm that negotiated Baker Mayfield's rookie deal with the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield, who was drafted first overall, has offset language built into his contract.

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