New York Jets: 3 Most ridiculous reasons not to start Sam Darnold Week 1

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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3. He’s not ready

Does he have some work to do mechanically? Yes. Does that mean he can’t start Week 1? No. In fact, it might mean he needs to start Week 1.

He may or may not be ready to start Week one, but whether or not he is, time will only tell that. It’s not “rushing” him to start Week 1 if he proves to be ready to do so by then. In fact, if they make a definitive plan not to start him, it could just stunt his growth.

Not starting Week 1, means he has no tape of his ability against NFL talent at true NFL speed. Sure, you can give him work in practice and preseason, but it’s not the same. Sitting him for an entire year — or even part of a year — will limit his exposure and his shorten the time he has to overcome the mistakes he makes in games.

I get it, he’s 20 years old, and has “plenty of time.” That doesn’t mean anything in terms of how ridiculous the notion of him not starting is. However, he’s young and ready to soak in things. So why not take advantage of that too? Sitting on the bench may not be what’s best for him.

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