Sam Darnold is coming off of an up-and-down rookie campaign, but there is no question that he showed a lot of promise and improved as the year progressed.
With the Jets adding offensive pieces like running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Jamison Crowder, there is some hype around Gang Green heading into 2019, especially considering the fact that the Jets already had a solid defense that will probably be even better this coming season.
Of course, New York will only go as far as Darnold takes him, and it may be a bit much to expect big things out of the signal-caller in what will be just his second season in the league.
Nevertheless, here are a few early goals for Darnold heading into the 2019 campaign.
[h=3]3. Throw for 3,300 Yards[/h]
Sure, we could ask Darnold to throw for 3,500 yards, but given the fact that the Jets just signed a talented workhorse in Bell, they will probably run the ball a lot in 2019, and I’m not sure New York can trust Darnold to sling the ball too much just yet.
After all, the 21-year-old threw for just 2,865 yards in 13 starts in 2018, and while he posted a 341-yard, three-touchdown performance in a late-season loss to the Green Bay Packers, he only threw for 300 yards twice all year long, so he just doesn’t have that consistency yet.
Now, this isn’t to say that Darnold isn’t capable of reaching the 3,500-yard plateau, because he certainly is, but right now, it’s a more realistic goal to say 3,300, and it takes quite a bit of pressure off of Darnold to boot.
Let’s keep in mind that the Jets’ passing game is still a big question mark even with the improvements that they have made.
[h=3]2. Have a 2:1 Touchdown-to-Interception Ratio[/h]
Darnold finished with 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions during his first year, and while that is okay for a rookie, it is not all that acceptable for a quarterback whose team has playoff aspirations.
The USC product is talented enough to have a year where he throws for something like 20 touchdowns and 10 picks during his second season, and with a better, healthier receiving corps in 2019, that is a reachable goal.
Basically, all you are asking in this goal is for Darnold to take care of the football. No one is asking Darnold to throw for 30 touchdowns or to look like Patrick Mahomes. This is textbook game management.
In two years as a collegiate starter, Darnold totaled 57 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. That ratio is more of what the Jets want out of him as a professional.
[h=3]1. Tune Out the Expectations[/h]
There are some people who feel that the Jets can be a playoff team in the AFC this year, and while it is certainly possible, it isn’t all that probable.
While New York should certainly be better, let’s remember that the AFC as a whole is incredibly deep, as the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders, and every team in the AFC South look like legitimate postseason contenders.
Are we sure that the Jets are better than any of those clubs?
That’s why Darnold needs to tune out the media and the fans and any expectations that are levied on the Jets and simply work on improving day in and day out.
It shouldn’t be about making the playoffs for Darnold; it should be about being better than you were the day before.
Most likely, the Jets are not going to make the postseason, so Darnold needs to understand that smart people are not going to crucify him if he misses out on it.
