Jets’ Darnold says watching McCown has benefited him

NEW YORK — Sam Darnold despised the thought of not playing. He was frustrated his injured right foot wouldn't let him.

So, for three games, the New York Jets rookie quarterback tried to be productive during his time away from the huddle. Darnold focused on Josh McCown and how the 39-year-old prepared every day.

He l i stened. And, learned.

Darnold is now playing the best football of his young NFL — and he knows the reason.

“I really do think it was just, you know, watching Josh and just the way that he went about studying the plays that are in the game plan,” Darnold said during a conference call Monday.

“It was literally everything — walkthrough, practice — how he treated everything. I think it was just awesome to be able to learn and watch him. And I think that's the reason for, you know, me playing a little bit better these last couple games.”

Darnold strained a foot at Miami on Nov. 4, a game in which he threw four interceptions. In the three outings before he was sidelined, the 21-year-old quarterback completed just 47 percent of his passes — 52 of 110 — for 558 yards and two touchdowns with a whopping seven interceptions.

Some fans and media speculated whether Darnold, the starter out of training camp, could use a break from playing so he could reset himself and perhaps benefit from taking a step back.

The injury settled the debate.

“Obviously, you don't want to get hurt, and it [stinks] when I'm not able to play,” Darnold said, “but I think the break and being able to just relax and have some time off was actually really good for my mind as well.”

Darnold spent over a month on the sideline before he was fully healthy again and able to shake off the rust. He has been a different quarterback since.

In games at Buffalo and at home against Houston, Darnold was 40 of 62 — 65 percent — for 423 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception. He has shown a knack for prolonging plays and extending drives with his legs.

Coaches and teammates praised Darnold's businesslike approach even before he was sidelined and his insistence on not repeating his mistakes. The Jets say they believe he has now taken the next step in his development.

Darnold is by no means a finished product, and he's the first to point that out. Even in his terrific performance against the Texans during which he gave the Jets a fourthquarter lead, he spotted flaws on the film.

“On a couple plays, I feel like I was indecisive,” he said. “I think I've been seeing that all year. Just [have to] continue to make clean decisions and when a guy is open just to get it to him.”