Since first taking the practice field for the New York Jets, rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has continued to impress the coaching staff and his teammates. This has quickly pushed forward the discussion about when he will get his chance to be the starter this upcoming season.
The Jets have remained quite open about his chances to earn that spot ahead of the season opener. Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates has made that a more realistic possibility after stating on Wednesday that once Darnold proves he can handle the offense, it will lead to him getting his chance under center, according to Manish Mehta of The New York Daily News.
“Are we giving him bits and pieces of the offense or are we throwing everything at him? We’re throwing everything at him,” offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates said Wednesday. “If he can handle it, if he can prove that he’s the starter, then that will take place when the time comes.”
These comments only further fuel the belief that the Jets are going to give Darnold every chance to prove that he can become the starter right out of the gate to his career. The coaching staff has spoken quite highly of his ability on the field that will inevitably be put to the test in the preseason against live action.
New York has only three quarterbacks under contract at this point with Darnold, Josh McCown, and Teddy Bridgewater. This competition at the position should see McCown get the first crack to prove that he can hold down the starting spot. He was able to prove that he can be a viable starter last season prior to suffering a broken a left hand.
What should be taken away from these comments from Bates is there is no clear-cut frontrunner for the starting job at this point.
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