New York Jets: Sam Darnold earned starting nod for Week 1

Sam Darnold has pulled even with the New York Jets veterans and has proven that he should be the starting quarterback Week 1 in Detroit.

Rookies come into the NFL with something to prove. No matter the position, they need to prove what we saw in college was the real deal, and not just being in college against far lesser competition. New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has passed the test with flying colors.

So far in camp — based on reports — Darnold has proven to be as advertised, but that’s just practice. He had to show it in a game too. Well, in Week 1 — albeit against the bottom of the barrel — he did just that. Then, against the best the Redskins could throw at him, he did it again.

Yes, he did have one mistake, and we will get to that later, but In his first two games he showed that the scouting report didn’t lie. He’s showed poise in the pocket, an ability to scan the field, and even read the defense pre-snap in both games. He showed an understanding of NFL defenses rarely seen by quarterbacks as rookies.

He hasn’t completely separated himself from the veterans, but he has pulled even with them, and that’s enough to earn the starting job Week 1. It would’ve been nice to see if he could bounce back from that mistake by starting the second half, but he’s showed a toughness last night. With the offensive line as bad as it was, he stood in there and went through his progressions like a wily veteran.

There was one mistake, though — the interception. That, however, wasn’t as huge as it seems. Yes, he forced it into what became double coverage that he didn’t recognize, but it was also fourth down. So, either way the Jets lose possession, even if he takes a sack or throws the ball away, and an interception actually set Washington back in terms of field position.

In the end, Darnold has proven that he’s can handle the spotlight, for now. He earned the start in Detroit, and if that stage proves too big for him at this point in his career, so be it. They should give him the shot he’s earned.