After a chat with Namath, Darnold has solid outing

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

Sam Darnold spent a few minutes chatting with Joe Namath and only wished he had more time.

At this rate, though, the youngster will have plenty more opportunities down the line.

Darnold led the Jets on two touchdown drives, moving closer to securing the starting quarterback job in a 22-16 loss to the New York Giants on Friday night.

That came after Darnold and the Jets’ other quarterbacks met briefly on the field with the man who has led the team to its only Super Bowl win — 50 seasons ago.

“It was cool to meet ‘Broadway Joe,’ ” a smiling Darnold said. “And to know the history that he has with this franchise, it was awesome to get to meet him.”

Jets fans are hoping Darnold might be able to someday have the same impact.

Small steps first, of course. The No. 3 overall draft pick made his second consecutive start, finishing 8 of 16 for 86 yards — including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Terrelle Pryor.

Darnold is competing with former Miami Northwestern star Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown for the Jets’ starting job, but the rookie is being given every chance to be under center when New York opens the regular season at Detroit on

Sept. 10.

“So far, I think I’ve been really consistent,” Darnold said. “At the same time, obviously, there’s little things I can always get better at.”

Bridgewater came in on the Jets’ second offensive possession of the second half, while McCown never played. Bridgewater was 11 of 15 for 104 yards.

Darnold got off to a solid start, leading an 11-play, 75-yard drive on the Jets’ opening series that was capped by Bilal Powell’s 10-yard touchdown run.

Darnold converted two third-and-long plays during the possession, first with a 13-yard completion to Neal Sterling. On third-and-13 from the Giants’ 35, Darnold showed off his scrambling ability by scooting to his left and zipping upfield for 14 yards.

“It’s kind of what I’ve done my whole life, just play football,” Darnold said. “When something’s not there and I see a lane, take it. But also continue to secure the ball and not turn the ball over. And, if I can do those things and just continue to play football at the same time, I think I’ll be all right.”

After Darnold’s 11-yard completion to Robby Anderson, Powell ran untouched into the end zone to give the Jets (1-2) an early 7-0 lead.

“Any time you go down the field on your first drive and score a touchdown against a good defense, that’s a good thing,” coach Todd Bowles said. “For the most part, he did his job.”

Darnold’s second series went nowhere, hurt in large part by a false start penalty on tight end Eric Tomlinson.

Hunter Sharp took Lachlan Edwards’ punt from 55 yards out and zigzagged a bit on his way to the end zone to tie it at 7 with 3:52 left in the opening quarter.