The New York Jets officially brought in what they expect to be the future face of their franchise in rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. The team lucked out and had Darnold fall in their laps at No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, and now the process begins to build up the USC product into a leader under center in New York.
Although Darnold has been praised left and right throughout the draft process, he's got a lot to prove on the NFL level as he'll eventually take on the responsibility of leading the struggling franchise. One of the players tasked with protecting Darnold once he gets on the field, left tackle Kelvin Beachum, has heard all the good things about the team's rookie quarterback, via Darryl Slater of NJ.com.
“I've heard that he is a great person,” Beachum said Tuesday. “I'm excited to get him in that room.”
Even though Beachum has heard heaps of praise for Darnold and all the hype about his potential to be a franchise quarterback, the 28-year-old tackle isn't buying any of it until the former Trojan proves his worth on the football field.
Beachum admits Darnold has to take a hit in the NFL and bounce back to earn his respect, via Slater.
“Man, I'm one of those guys: Until you get hit in the mouth, I don't know what you've got yet,” Beachum said. “And he ain't been hit in the mouth by an NFL defensive lineman. So when that time comes, we'll see.”
The real question from here on out in New York is when Darnold will get his shot under center for the Jets. The team currently has an interesting situation at the quarterback position with veteran Josh McCown returning and Teddy Bridgewater joining the squad this offseason after spending his entire career with the Minnesota Vikings.
The consensus right now seems to be that McCown will be the starter, but Darnold will have the opportunity to compete for the job. Bridgewater, however, might be the odd man out with a very team-friendly contract which will make it easy for New York part ways before the 2018 campaign if they want to.
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