Even in regular occasions, there can be query marks surrounding these Adam Gase Jets. There shall be a rebuilt offensive line blocking for Sam Darnold, and a pair of latest receivers catching passes from Sam Darnold, and perhaps extra holes and yards from Le’Veon Bell whereas coordinator Gregg Williams’ protection retains hope alive.
And it signifies that as he prepares to enter his third season, it’s time for Sam Darnold to be the fixed, the least of all Jets issues, the unshakeable rock …
The franchise quarterback he was drafted to be.
The heaven-sent pilot who lifts the Jets, along with his arm, along with his legs, along with his management, with the sheer pressure of his persona.
It’s what franchise quarterbacks — even younger ones — are anticipated to do.
It’s what Patrick Mahomes did for the Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs final season, what Lamar Jackson did for the Ravens.
Mahomes and Jackson had higher groups round them, however that isn’t the purpose.
The Jets will go as Sam Darnold goes is the purpose.
And it’s go-time for Sam Darnold, one month shy of his 23rd birthday.
Don’t let Josh Allen’s Payments beat you to the playoffs a second straight time.
No extra mono this season.
No extra ghosts.
GM Joe Douglas was adamant about getting you safety and playmakers. And now there may be stress on you to show him proper.
Stress on you to make what certainly gained’t be an elite offensive line — as thrilled as you might be to have rookie left deal with Mekhi Becton blocking out the solar — higher than common. Stress on you to throw open what on paper nonetheless appears to be like like a pedestrian group of receivers, and who is aware of whether or not tight finish Chris Herndon will keep wholesome?
“For me, it’s at all times been about taking part in as arduous and nearly as good as I can it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are,” Darnold mentioned. “So from my finish, nothing’s gonna change.”
Nothing has to alter with Darnold’s method or mentality. He’s made from the appropriate stuff, identical man day by day and all that.
Success gained’t spoil him.
But it surely’s time for achievement.
“I’ve been engaged on throwing to the appropriate somewhat bit extra,” Darnold mentioned. “I really feel like generally after I throw to my proper, it’s all arm, so I’ve been trying into making an attempt to step into my throws and use extra of my physique and my legs going to my proper. After which, simply proceed to work on deep-ball accuracy is large for me. I really feel like I left a few alternatives on the market on the sector final 12 months and I’m seeking to hit these throws this 12 months.”
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Darnold — 36 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in his two-year profession, together with 19-13 final season — has began 26 video games. He began from Day 1 as a rookie. That is his staff. He’s this staff’s chief. Extra now than ever. Nearly or in any other case.
“As I develop and mature and proceed to be the quarterback for this group,” Darnold mentioned, “I’m simply gonna proceed to mildew into the chief that I’m gonna turn out to be.”
He endured a 2019 quarantine for mono and the expertise toughened him on reflection.
“Anytime you undergo something like that, any sort of adversity, it helps you,” Darnold mentioned.
Now he’s on the opposite coast, remoted from his staff and teammates due to COVID-19.
“I’m not taking this time without any consideration,” Darnold mentioned. “Each single second counts.”
Each single day counts. As a result of Darnold can now not throw the sort of careless red-zone interceptions he threw in that rock-bottom defeat in Miami final November, when he threw the ball up for grabs on the Dolphins 2-yard line as much as keep away from a sack.
“There’s positively room to develop,” Darnold mentioned. “All through the again half of the season, I assumed I improved on a number of issues. I felt I acquired extra constant and was in a position to get extra snug with the offense, so I feel there’s clearly room to be higher for this subsequent 12 months. For myself, I’m simply making an attempt to be as constant as doable and play at a excessive degree.”
He threw 13 touchdowns in opposition to 4 interceptions through the Jets’ 6-2 second half.
“We positively have the blokes to have the ability to win soccer video games,” Darnold mentioned. “However as we see yearly, it’s about placing every thing collectively.”
And as we see yearly, it’s concerning the franchise quarterback, greater than anybody else, placing every thing collectively.