Let’s envision what things must have been like for rookie quarterback Sam Darnold heading into a Week 1 matchup between the New York Jets and Detroit Lions. Not only was Darnold the youngest quarterback to ever start the season for a pro football team but it was under the primetime lights of Monday Night Football.
It was only a few months ago that Darnold didn’t even know where his new NFL home would be, let alone earn the right to be a starting quarterback as early as his rookie year. After weeks of preparation in training camp and preseason football, Darnold performed above expectations to the point where everyone saw something special brewing at One Jets Drive.