New York Jets: Risk vs. reward for Sam Darnold

The New York Jets have a question to answer for the 2018. Is it worth it to start Sam Darnold over the other two veteran when he will make more mistakes?

In a recent ESPN Now thread, ESPN New York Jets insider Rich Cimini gave his take on the 2018 quarterback situation. Let’s start off by saying the Jets must get it right. It’s a very delicate situation. How they handle Sam Darnold could be the difference between potentially winning a Super Bowl with a franchise quarterback or ruining his career.

That said, Cimini asked a very poignant question about the risk/reward factor for Sam Darnold specifically regarding 2018. He ended his article this way.

"“Ultimately, the starting decision may come down to this: Darnold probably will make more mistakes than the two vets, but he’ll also make plays they physically can’t do. Is it worth the trade off?” — CiminiMore from NFL Spin ZoneDallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have madePittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking aboutAnthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediatelyDenver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a whileWashington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens"

The answer to that question isn’t simple, and it depends on a lot of factors. If the mistakes aren’t capitalized upon or the defense can withstand the mistakes more frequently, the risk is most certainly worth the reward. The latter part of that can’t be answered until regular season games are played, though.

It also depends on what time frame we are talking about. If it’s long-term, from a psychological standpoint, though, will the mistakes haunt Darnold? Based on reports from practice, he seems to bounce back quickly from mistakes and not make the same ones twice. So, it’s a matter of when he can actually get hit, will it affect him?

In the end, we would never truly know if starting him or sitting him has a better effect specifically on Darnold, because those are individual experiences, and we will never know how the other way would effect Darnold.

Here’s how it breaks down. If Darnold can’t handle the NFL, and he’s mentally frazzled by the mistakes in games, then the Jets will be looking for a new head coach, general manager, and quarterback sooner rather than later, and Darnold has the accuracy and arm strength to make all the NFL throws, and he’s mobile enough to move in and outside the pocket.

Also, according to Michael Nania of Gang Green Nation, since 1996 quarterbacks drafted in round one who start 16 games as rookies typically win more than those that don’t.

So, is the risk of his potential mistakes in 2018 are worth the reward if he’ll give you a better chance to win? There are too many what if and unknowns to leave it to chance.

Plus, if it’s merely about job security, it doesn’t matter, because if he can’t handle the mistakes once the lights are shining bright, then the franchise will be looking for a new GM, head coach and quarterback sooner rather than later anyway. So, frankly, the answer is a resounding, yes!