Sam Darnold is now a Jets quarterback, but he shouldn’t be their starting quarterback for a while.
In mid-November of last year, somebody asked then-Jets QB coach Jeremy Bates (now the team’s offensive coordinator) why they weren’t playing Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty.
He responded, “This is professional football. This isn’t Triple-A.”
The Jets didn’t pick Darnold to be their 2018 Week One starter. He’s in Triple-A right now. He’s a terrific prospect, but he has a lot to work on.
Bates doesn’t like starting guys until they are truly ready. He’s not into rushing people. And if the team’s brass makes him rush a QB into action, they are looking for a fight with their new OC.
Also, the Jets have missed the playoffs seven years in a row. They need to make the playoffs in 2018. The drought needs to end, especially with their ticket prices.
And let’s now forget, their coach/GM combo have lorded over back-to-back 5-11 seasons. Another season like that and planes could be flying.
So that’s why Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater are on the roster.
The Jets need to make a playoff run in 2018.
Darnold was picked to groom and develop in 2018, to probably take over in 2019 (unless McCown or Bridgewater has an unbelievable season, then it could be later than 2019).
The only likely way the kid is going to play this year is if the Jets are out of the playoff hunt during the second half of the season.
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