The New York Jets finally have rookie quarterback Sam Darnold in the fold in training camp with his contract situation all sorted out.

It hasn't taken long for the conversation to turn toward the competition for the starting job that the Jets have made it clear is wide open with Darnold vying for the spot alongside Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, Darnold has voiced that he wants to become the starter, but at the same time understands that it will come down to a coach's decision that will be determined on what's best for the team.

“Obviously, it's a coach's decision,” he said, when asked about claiming the starting job. “The competitor in me, yeah, I want to start, but it's whatever is best for the team. … With Josh and Teddy, it's a huge challenge.”

Article Continues Below

These next few weeks will be huge for Darnold if he hopes to secure the starting job as training camp and the preseason will be indicative of where he's at in his progression toward adjusting to playing on the next level. The Jets have made it clear that they will provide him every opportunity to make a strong case to be the starter out of the gate to the 2018 season.

Darnold has shown he has the capability to be a game-changing talent under center behind his ability to make just about every throw with his strong arm and poise in the pocket. This has seen him make a strong impression on his teammates and coaching staff through the last few months of the offseason, which should lead to him earning plenty of playing time in the preseason to help fortify his case to be the starter.

Nonetheless, the focus throughout training camp and the preseason will be on who the Jets will choose to be the starter to begin the 2018 season.