Compared to the other young quarterbacks, Sam Darnold isn't exactly blowing everyone out of the water. However, former Jets offensive lineman Nick Mangold is more than happy with what Darnold has shown so far.
The retired center is raining praise for a quarterback he hasn't played a single minute with in the NFL, but it's easy to see why he has a high opinion on the guy. The things he's done for an underwhelming Jets team throughout the 2019 season is something that deserves praise.
“I love Darnold’s mentality, the way he goes about things, the way he talks, the way he commands a huddle,” Mangold said.
The Jets were more than a disappointment last season. In spite of acquiring Le'Veon Bell from the Pittsburgh Steelers, they finished with a disappointing 7-9 record. As they miss another playoff appearance, it would be easy for players to be stressed out.
However, Darnold rallied the troops and made sure that their heads don't fully drop. His voice in the locker room grew throughout the season, and the Jets finished the season strong with consecutive wins over the Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback himself had a decent season, finishing with 3024 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns on 13 appearances.
The Jets will once again attempt the unlikely climb to the Super Bowl. While they are far from favorites to make a deep playoff run, Darnold's experience in 2019 should help him grow more as a passer and a leader. And if Mangold is to be believed, that would be more than enough to get them a ticket to the playoffs.
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