Todd threw for Alabama's only touchdown in the fourth quarter and helped convert two points, but the Tide again lost to Notre Dame, 13–11.
Todd would be the last Alabama quarterback taken in the first round until Tua Tagovailoa, who was selected by the Miami Dolphins as the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.
The intention was for Todd to replace another Alabama legend, Joe Namath, who had led the Jets to their last playoff win in Super Bowl III in 1969.
Also that year, Todd set an NFL record for throwing an interception in 15 games in one season.
In 1981, Todd led the Walt Michaels-coached Jets to their first winning record (10–5–1) since 1969, thanks in part to a defense nicknamed the "New York Sack Exchange."
His final year with New York saw a change at head coach, as Walt Michaels was replaced with Jets offensive coordinator Joe Walton.
Todd played only two seasons in New Orleans, as he replaced another aging, interception-prone (and former Super Bowl winning) Alabama legend at quarterback, Ken Stabler.
Todd briefly returned to the Jets in 1986 after a knee injury to then QB Ken O’Brien, but did not play.