New York Jets: Sam Darnold officially named starting quarterback
The inevitable has finally arrived. The New York Jets have finally named rookie quarterback Sam Darnold the starting quarterback for week one.
It wasn’t exactly a shock. OK it surprised exactly 0% of the population at large. But, the New York Jets finally made the inevitable news official.
It’s official: Sam Darnold has been named the Jets’ quarterback, per Todd Bowles. He’ll be the youngest opening-day QB in history. The Darnold era begins. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 3, 2018
The first reaction is no kidding. Everybody knew this was happening. Based on his progression during training camp there was no way that Darnold was going to start on the bench.
It just wasn’t going to happen despite the crowd that wanted him to sit on the bench and learn.
This result is good for Sam Darnold. We have talked about it all summer but it bares repeating. He is not your normal rookie quarterback.
He reads defenses better than most rookies. He can go to his second, third and even fourth option without batting an eyelash. Rookies don’t do that.
Darnold doesn’t play like the game is too big for him. You know what I am talking about. Remember Geno Smith? He STILL plays like the game is too big for him. He never “got it”.
Darnold does.
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He faces an interesting test to start the season. The Jets have three games within ten days.
Learning three different defenses in just over a week is tough for any quarterback, much less a rookie. It will be interesting to see how he does.
Now, don’t expect him to be perfect. Any rookie quarterback goes through his bumps and bruises.
The idea is to get him ready for the 2019 when the Jets have money to spend and become even more competitive.
They have to maximize his value while he is under his rookie contract and putting him on the field right away is exactly the way to do that.
The Darnold era begins. Let’s all enjoy the ride.