McCown impressed with Darnold

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Josh McCown has seen many rookies step into the white-hot spotlight of the NFL and struggle.

The veteran New York Jets quarterback has also watched some youngsters thrive in the pressure, so he could be considered a bit of an expert on the topic.

That’s why it says a lot when McCown raves about Sam Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick who’s considered the future of the franchise.

“I don’t want to put any undue expectations on him, but I’ve been very impressed with him, I’ll be honest with you,” the 39year-old McCown said after practice Saturday.

“Of any kind of rookie player I’ve been around, he’s been impressive how he’s handled information from the classroom and then to take it to the (practice) field and then take it to the game, he’s done just an excellent job of that.”

Darnold is competing with McCown and Bridgewater for the starting job, and the Jets are giving their prized rookie every opportunity to be under center when New York opens the regular season at Detroit on Sept. 10.

Darnold got the bulk of the snaps during practice Saturday, but split time with the first-team offense, mostly with McCown. Coach Todd Bowles hasn’t announced who’ll start against the Giants on Friday night, when the starters are expected to play into the second half.

The 21-year-old former USC star had a terrific debut in the preseason opener against Atlanta and had an up-and-down performance in his first NFL start last Thursday at Washington. Darnold went 8 of 11 for 62 yards with an interception and was sacked twice against the Redskins.

“After watching the tape, I thought I managed the game really well,” Darnold said. “I feel like there was one play down in the red zone where I could’ve maybe squeezed it into Jermaine (Kearse). It was the third down when I got sacked down there. So, just that play really sticks out to me.”

Then, Darnold pointed out another play in which he was intercepted by Troy Apke on a pass intended for Kearse on fourth-and-1 from the Redskins 20 midway through the second quarter. The rookie said there wasn’t much else he could’ve done on the play other than to maybe try a corner route to Robby Anderson.

“Other than that, I thought I played a pretty solid game,” he said.

Darnold isn’t afraid to point out his miscues, which says a lot about his overall confidence in himself.

“He’s been impressive,” McCown said. “It’s a credit to his character that he has put the time in and we’ve just got to keep going and keep growing.”