Sam Darnold already making good impressions on teammates

After the first week of organized team activities for the New York Jets, it appears as if quarterback Sam Darnold, has already begun to make good impressions on his teammates.

Heading into this year’s draft, it was clear that the New York Jets would be selecting a quarterback in the first round, hoping to end a long and drawn out drought without a franchise quarterback. Although it was a bit unexpected, the team got their guy in USC’s Sam Darnold.

Given the current state of the Jets, the expectations, naturally, are quite high for Darnold. While it’s far too early to judge what he’s done on the field through just a few practices, he has indeed begun to impress his teammates with his questions and his curiosity.

Quarterback Josh McCown, the 38-year-old veteran, expects to play a pivotal role in mentoring Darnold. Besides him, other veterans like what they see in Darnold. Even wide receiver Jermaine Kearse is excited about everything he brings to the table.

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In an article written by Rich Cimini of ESPN, here is what Kearse sees in Darnold from the first week of organized team activities:

“He’s very open to learning,” Kearse said. “He listens, he asks questions — all the things you want, especially in a rookie who has such high expectations from outside sources. He’s doing all the right things so far.”

As a rookie in New York, the pressure will undoubtedly be on the 20-year-old Darnold to perform. Fans and quite possibly the Jets’ front office may be expecting him to start sooner rather than later, but that will obviously take time.

As of now, however, Darnold appears to be doing all of the right things to grow, develop and evolve as a player and according to McCown, the talent is indeed there as well, in that same article written by Cimini:

“With any rookie, especially a high pick, you want to see the talent level,” McCown said. “You want to see the skill set. That’s something you watch. He’s athletic. The ball comes out of his hand really nice. He’s got a good, strong arm. Those are things on the surface level that get you excited.”

Heading into the 2018 season, McCown, who had a career year in 2017, is expected to start in Week 1. With a seemingly rejuvenated and healthy Teddy Bridgewater also on the roster, Darnold will have his work cut out for him before he’s handed the reigns as the team’s top signal-caller.

It’s safe to say, however, that he’s on the right track.