ESPN predicts Sam Darnold has 50 percent chance to start season

ESPN believes that rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has a 50 percent chance to start the regular season for the New York Jets.

When it comes to the New York Jets and their quarterback situation, it’s remained the same all offseason long. At this point in time, the veterans are very much ahead of the rookie. Josh McCown is firmly on top of the depth chart, Teddy Bridgewater is the second and primary backup, while Sam Darnold is the third-string quarterback learning from the guys above him.

Knowing how head coach Todd Bowles handles things, this is likely to stay the same with only preseason football being what could shake things up. The truth be told, Darnold will need to play lights out football in everything he does against real opponents if he’s to move up the depth chart.

Of course, the same could be said for Bridgewater who is making sure he makes the most out of the opportunities coming his way. The Jets are likely to play both Bridgewater and Darnold extensively in preseason action, making sure that McCown doesn’t get hurt and is ready to start the regular season.

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What are Darnold’s realistic chances to even start the year knowing this is the main setup the Jets have in place? In an article written by ESPN, they gave a progress report on every rookie quarterback heading into the regular season. For Darnold, they believe he has a 50 percent chance to start come Week 1. Rich Cimini contributed to this article as here is why he went with the number that he did:

50 percent. Technically, Darnold is the No. 3 quarterback, but he gets a handful of first-team reps each day — part of the overall plan that will allow him to compete for the starting job. If he lights it up in the preseason, it’ll be hard to keep him out of the lineup. Ultimately, the decision belongs to coach Todd Bowles. He has a comfort level with incumbent Josh McCown, and he’s intrigued by Bridgewater, but he also recognizes Darnold has more raw talent than the veterans.

That is a pretty accurate assumption since, at the end of the day, it all comes down to how Darnold plays in preseason action. It will take a lot to change the mind of Bowles who, based on history, will likely go with a veteran over a rookie to start the regular season. Darnold needs to put everything together quickly and execute flawlessly if he’s to be in the starting quarterback conversation.