Jets should not add another quarterback for preseason games

Even though New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold saw a lot of time in his preseason debut against the Atlanta Falcons, the team should not add another quarterback to the roster.

Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, giving a strong first impression to the football world, saw a plethora of playing time in his preseason debut. As the New York Jets beat the Atlanta Falcons 17-0 in their first preseason game at MetLife Stadium, it seemed like Darnold spent a lot of time on the gridiron.

Darnold played in about two and a half quarters of preseason football and looked like he was the real deal. He scored a touchdown, was accurate, and made some solid decisions on the field in the heat of the moment.

Fans in attendance went crazy once Darnold entered the game as he likely used it to fuel his momentum in the matchup as he delivered a fine performance. Even though he played a lot in his first ever preseason game in the pros, in the grand scheme of things, it’s perfect to keep it like this for his continued development.

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It’s no secret that the Jets want Darnold to progress sooner rather than later to put him in a position to start his pro career immediately. While everyone knows what the Jets have with Josh McCown under center, it would be a pleasant sight to see Darnold actually be the starting quarterback of the team this upcoming season.

Not only would it be a refreshing change but would usher in a new era of Jets football with their future franchise quarterback ready to play as early as his rookie year. This is why it’s imperative that Darnold plays a lot in the preseason to get ready for such a personal achievement.

The more Darnold plays in preseason action, the better his overall progression will be. Yes, he’ll likely be playing against second and third-string defensive players but at the end of the day, it’s all about the game time experience he’ll be earning where it matters most.

The Jets shouldn’t stunt Darnold’s growth by bringing in another quarterback just for the sake of not exposing him in meaningless preseason games. It doesn’t matter if Darnold plays two quarters in every preseason game or if he starts an entire game in the finale, the more he plays, the better he will get.

That way, he can continue to make his case that he’s ready to start the regular season if he’s deemed the best quarterback on the roster that can win the most football games. Bringing in another quarterback would be a waste of time and a roster spot in training camp. If anything, the Jets should focus mostly on Teddy Bridgewater and Darnold splitting duties with McCown advising, coaching, and mentoring on the sideline all preseason long. We all know what McCown is capable of, let the kids play and continue proving their worth.