New York Jets: Sam Darnold looking good so far
The future success of the New York Jets depends on the development of rookie Sam Darnold. So far, so good.
The 2018 NFL season for the New York Jets is all about the development and maturation of their first round draft pick, quarterback Sam Darnold. Sure, head coach Todd Bowles has to win games but Darnold needs to become New York’s long-awaited franchise signal-caller. General Manager Mike Maccagnan can’t be wrong about this guy.
Training camp is now just a few weeks away. Although far from perfect, the USC product has looked good after participating in rookie minicamp, OTA’s and mandatory minicamp activities. Quarterback coach and new Offensive Coordinator Jeremy Bates has given the 21-year old Darnold the entire playbook to digest. That’s not an easy task for any rookie. The 6-4, 220-pounder has received some reps with the first-team offense as well.
It’s still early but Bates has been impressed from what he’s seen from Darnold, per NewYorkJets.com:
"“Amazingly, just excellent. People don’t understand that getting a snap under center (and) a huddle experience calling these long paragraph kind of plays — it’s not easy. I’ve been around some rookies that took a whole year to be able to get into a huddle and have confidence and call those plays,” he said. “Since rookie camp, he hasn’t flinched. Everything that we have thrown at him, he has been able to handle. So we’re excited.”"
The Jets have every reason to be excited. Darnold has a world of ability. With that being said, it’s still a long road from taking snaps during off-season drills to starting a game in the NFL. If the season were to commence today, veteran Josh McCown would be the odds-on-favorite to be under center. Teddy Bridgewater is making progress after suffering a devastating knee injury with the Minnesota Vikings two years ago. They rank number one and two, respectively, on Gang Green’s quarterback depth chart. At least for now.
Darnold will have to prove he deserves the starting nod. He’ll have the opportunity to do so via his performances in training camp and preseason games. The Jets should not rush him though. They have too much at stake to spurn his development to the pro game by playing him in regular season contests before he’s ready.
Bates and head coach Todd Bowles will know when Darnold is ready. Whether that is in the first game or Game 15 of the 2018 NFL season, once the Capistrano Beach, CA native is set to go there is no turning back. No quarterback carousel. It will be HIS team then.
Next: NFL QB Power Rankings 2018: Pre-training camp
There is work to be done before that moment in time but so far Darnold has not looked overwhelmed. He needs to protect the football better though. He committed 22 turnovers (13 interceptions, nine fumbles) for the Trojans last year. That simply won’t wash in the NFL. Darnold has to keep both hands on the football when he is in the pocket. That will help alleviate all the strip fumbles he suffered while looking for a receiver. There is no doubt that this must be a point of emphasis moving forward.
Now that the calendar has turned to July, it’s an exciting time for Jets fans because there is hope that they finally have their franchise quarterback. It’s been a long, long time since they’ve been able to say that.