The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Rookie Darnold a holdout at camp
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — There was no sign of Sam Darnold as the New York Jets opened training camp.
The No. 3 overall draft pick officially became a contract holdout when the team began its first practice of the summer Friday without its prized rookie quarterback.
“He’s not here,” coach Todd Bowles said, “so I’m coaching the other (89) guys.”
Darnold joins Chicago linebacker Roquan Smith, the No. 8 choice, as the only unsigned picks from the entire draft.
Under the NFL’s labor agreement, contract holdouts by rookies are uncommon because deals are slotted based on draft position. Darnold will receive a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $30.247 million, including a $20 million signing bonus.
“It’s part of the business,” Bowles said. “We’ve got two other quarterbacks who can play, too.”
The dispute seems to hang on contract language. If a player is cut during his rookie contract, offset language provides the team with financial protection. Not having offset language allows a player to receive his salary from the team that cut him, as well as get paid by another team that signs him.
Offset language is common in rookie deals. Both Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick by Cleveland, and Josh Allen, seventh overall by Buffalo — the quarterbacks drafted before and after Darnold — have offsets in their contracts. In fact, Allen and Darnold share the same agent in Jimmy Sexton.
“Any time you’re not here, you lose something,” Bowles said. “It’s been a day. Obviously, when he comes in, we’ll get him caught up. Right now, I’ve got (89) other guys to worry about.”
The 21-year-old Darnold is expected to compete for the Jets’ starting job with 39-year-old Josh McCown, the incumbent who is coming off the best season of his career, and Teddy Bridgewater, working his way back from a knee injury nearly two years ago.
Both McCown and Bridgewater received an increased workload during the team’s 21⁄2-hour practice as the only signed quarterbacks on the roster.
“I feel like I can have some ice cream tonight,” a smiling McCown said. “Maybe an extra bowl or so. It was good work from our standpoint, Teddy and I. We’re excited about it, both as competitors and loving the game. You do what they ask you to do and practice as hard as you can. … We’ll be excited when Sam gets here, obviously, but until then, we’re going to carry the load and be excited to do it.”
Darnold is considered the future of the franchise, and he impressed his team-
mates and coaches during offseason workouts and minicamp with his work ethic, ability to quickly grasp the playbook and to not repeat mistakes. The former USC star’s progress will be the top story line for the Jets during training camp.
When Darnold shows up, of course.
Darnold acknowledged during the offseason that he
had to make several adjustments since joining the Jets, including calling plays in the huddle — something he hadn’t done much at USC. He also said the increased pace of the game is evident, even in practice.
But the Jets are confident Darnold will be a quick study — and a potential franchise-type quarterback.
After Cleveland took Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick and the Giants selected running back Saquon Barkley at No. 2, the Jets found themselves staring
at the scenario they dreamed of: getting the guy they wanted all along in Darnold.
Now, they just need to get him under contract and on the field.
NOTES: Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart was suspended by the league without pay for the first two games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Stewart, entering his second NFL season, can return to the active roster
on Sept. 17. He’s eligible to take part in all preseason practices and games. Stewart participated in the Jets’ first practice of training camp Friday . ... S Rontez Miles was the only Jets player to open camp on the physically unable-to -erform list. Miles tore cartilage in his left knee during organized team activities in May. … RB Eli McGuire left practice with a foot injury. Bowles was not immediately certain of the severity or if McGuire might miss time.