3rd-year Darnold relatively young
North Jersey Record
How much pressure is on Darnold in 2020?
Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is 23, still younger than Joe Burrow, the LSU quarterback who went No. 1 overall to the Bengals in last month’s NFL draft.
That youth served as important context for Darnold’s first two seasons in the league. Mistakes were viewed as learning experiences. The way he endured difficulty on and off the field felt more important than results.
But Darnold will be entering his third season, experience that weighs heavier than his youth. He will be playing his second season in the same Adam Gase offense. And with an upgraded line in front of him, Darnold will be expected to make plays that make the difference.
Darnold has always been good at shrugging off pressure, an important tool to have when you’re the quarterback of the Jets, and the truth is it’s not all on him.
Gase must find a way to better use him. The offensive line must stay healthy and play up to expectations.
But if Darnold is the franchise quarterback the Jets have been waiting so long for — and they believe he is — he should be able to overcome some level of bad play calling, poor blocking and unproven weapons to at least pull the Jets’ offense out of the NFL’s basement.
That’s not easy during these times. Like every other NFL team, the Jets aren’t meeting in person during the global coronavirus pandemic. But Darnold has been watching extra film, becoming even more familiar with the offense and doing extra throwing. And he’s been working with quarterback coach Jordan Palmer through the offseason to make some specific improvements.
What’s next for unhappy Jamal Adams?
The 24-year-old Pro Bowl safety wants an extension that pays him like one of the best safeties in the game and is upset with how the team has handled negotiations.
Adams has indicated on social media that he was bothered by the team’s lack of urgency in working toward a new contract. of the leverage. But Adams could put immense pressure on the team by continuing to make his displeasure public.
Adams is set to make $3.5 million this year and $9.9 million in 2021, the fifth year of his rookie contract that pays him an average of $6.4 million a season.
Will any of their big names bounce back?
Some of the Jets’ biggest names are looking to rebound
from nightmare seasons in 2019. And if any of them are able to get back on track in 2020 and play to their potential, the Jets could be more dangerous than most expected.
The biggest names to watch are running back Le’Veon Bell and linebacker C.J. Mosley, who have both been among the best at their position in the not-toodistant past.
Bell, 28, had the worst season of his career in 2019. But that seemed to be more about the Jets’ shoddy blocking and inconsistent offense, not Bell. With the upgrades on the line, Bell has the chance to prove he still has it.
Meanwhile, Mosley looked phenomenal while he was healthy, but that lasted three quarters before a Week 1 groin injury. Mosley, 28, is coming off the first significant injury of his career, so there’s no guarantee he returns to Pro Bowl form. But if he does, his play-making and leadership could make the Jets’ defense much better.
Mosley said he expects to have no limitations during training camp.