‘Gotcha' questions can be a pain

A number of “gotcha” questions were posed to Jets GM Joe Douglas during his mid-season presser.

What is a “gotcha” question?

According to the Political Dictionary, “A gotcha question is one posed by a reporter in an effort to trick a (person) into looking stupid or saying something damaging.”

A couple of reporters wanted to get Douglas to commit to Sam Darnold as the team’s quarterback in 2021 and beyond.

Here are a couple of those questions from Douglas’ press briefing:

Rich Cimini, ESPN: “Can you say for sure that Sam will be your starting QB next year?”

Douglas: “Look, we are trying to get through the next eight games, and my feeling on Sam hasn’t changed. We have to do a better job of surrounding him with talent.”

Connor Hughes, The Athletic: “Believing that if you surround him with enough talent, and he’s an ultra-talented QB as you said, why not commit to him definitely as your QB in 2021?”

Douglas: “I have no problem saying he’s our best QB and our QB for the future.”

Why is it necessary for Douglas to commit to Darnold in 2021 when it’s only the middle of the 2020 season?

Darnold — and most of Gang Green — has not played very well this season. Perhaps, at times, he has not received enough support from his line or weapons, but the bottom line is Darnold and most Jets players haven’t shined this season. That’s quite obvious based on their record, and their minus-147 point differential.

So why is it incumbent on Douglas to commit to veteran players on the roster beyond this year? Of course he’s committed to his first draft class for now. That goes without saying, but the veterans on this roster?

Look at how they’re playing…