Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest burning question in 2018

By Brad Weiss

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the invited attendees to the 2017 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the invited attendees to the 2017 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Sam Darnold and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hold up a NY Jets jersey after being selected by the New York Jets with the 3rd pick during the First Round of the 2018 NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Sam Darnold and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hold up a NY Jets jersey after being selected by the New York Jets with the 3rd pick during the First Round of the 2018 NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

New York Jets: When will we see Sam Darnold under center?

Prior to the 2017 NFL season, it appeared the New York Jets were trying to “Suck for Sam,” in reference to USC quarterback Sam Darnold. The team spent most of the offseason before the campaign getting rid of their veteran talent, instead focusing on trotting out mostly young players to seemingly lose enough for them to get the first overall pick.

While most of the starters were inexperienced, the man under center certainly was not. Veteran signal-caller Josh McCown had a career-year for the Jets in 2017, leading the organization to too many wins than they likely wanted. The team stated they were not trying to lose to get a top draft pick, and they ended up playing well enough to pick at No. 6 overall.

Prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, the Jets traded up to the No. 3 spot, cementing their chance to get one of the elite quarterback prospects the draft had to offer. When Baker Mayfield went No. 1 overall to Cleveland, and then Saquon Barkley went No. 2 to the New York Giants, the Jets were able to get Sam Darnold at No. 3.

In Darnold, the Jets got the franchise quarterback that they really have not had since Joe Namath. Sure, Chad Pennington was a solid starter in the NFL, but the Jets brass feel they now have a player who can lead this team to the top of the league during his career. That is big expectations for a 20-year old.

McCown is going to start to begin Darnold’s rookie season, and he may actually b e in their for the entire 16-game slate. There is no reason to rush Darnold onto the field, because he is too young, and it would do him best to sit a year behind one of the most professional quarterbacks in the league, and learn to be a pro first.

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