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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pss under pressure against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. The failure of rookie quarterbacks starting Week 1

This one is the most ridiculous argument of all, and it stems from the idea of treating everyone the same. That’s the biggest mistake teams make, putting a one size fits all glove on a situation that doesn’t warrant one.

Jets fans will point to Mark Sanchez, and that’s actually not a fair comparison. Like Luck and Carr, the Jets failed to build around Sanchez by replacing the aging veterans to compliment him, and that doomed his continued success.

Secondly, for every quarterback who’s failed after a bad rookie campaign — and for that matter ones who also let good ones get to their heads — you can point to Peyton Manning, John Elway, and Troy Aikman. Elway and Aikman both had rocky starts and were benched as rookies and ended up winning a combined five Super Bowls.

Manning started his career 3-13 with 28 interceptions, and he subsequently went on to win two Super Bowls and have 14 seasons of 10 wins or more.

To put Darnold in a box and say he can’t start Week 1 because of this idea is silly. It’s not about the past and what others couldn’t do. It’s about what Darnold can do. If he’s ready Week 1, why not start him.

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way too early projection for next year

As Vacchiano said in the previously mentioned piece:

"There’s just no need to make his arrival pre-determined. Just let it happen."

Don’t set constraints based on the past. Let Darnold determine his own fate.

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