Linked by fate, Sam Darnold struggles with Jets while Browns' Baker Mayfield sees some light

Sam Darnold of the Jets reacts following an incomplete pass during the third quarter of a game against the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 20 in Inglewood, Calif. Credit: Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey

The two quarterbacks who will take the field on Sunday inside MetLife Stadium will be forever linked because they were in the same draft, selected two picks apart and were expected to lead their respective franchises to new and lofty heights.

Theirs is a story of what could have been, what could be and what never was.

Many thought Sam Darnold would go first overall to the Browns in 2018. But they decided to go with Baker Mayfield. The Jets probably would have taken Mayfield, but they were overjoyed…