Odds to Start for the Jets in Week 1 of 2018: Does Darnold Have a Shot?

• Will veteran Josh McCown’s career-year in 2017 be enough to earn him the starter’s job in 2018?
• Can third-overall pick Sam Darnold impress enough in preseason to be named the Week 1 starter?
• See the odds to be the Jets’ starting QB in Week 1

The New York Jets’ quarterback competition features three players vying for the starting job. Bookmaker has released odds on who will start Week 1 between Josh McCown, Sam Darnold and Teddy Bridgewater.

Odds to Start Week 1 for the Jets

Josh McCown

The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 and little was expected of them last year. So little in fact, that their 5-11 record was actually viewed as a success. Although he was 38-years old and seen as no more than a stopgap at the position, veteran Josh McCown was a big part of that “success”.

Josh McCown Stats

McCown performed above the NFL average in yards per attempt, passer rating, and completion rate. Considering he exited the Week 14 loss early with a broken hand and didn’t play the rest of the season, McCown’s record in the the 12 games prior was a respectable 5-7.

Most people in highly competitive fields could benefit from this kind of work. Josh McGod the King: https://t.co/plKteKLt7i

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) July 28, 2018

McCown has never been a franchise guy and although he’s been in the league since 2002, he’s yet to ever play an entire 16 games. His 13 games last year did see him put up career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns.

https://twitter.com/knicksjets4life/status/1024088844642205696

Sam Darnold

Whether he wins the starting job for Week 1 or assumes the role later this year, Darnold was drafted to be the Jets’ future. Darnold led all QBs in the Pac-12 last year with 4,143 yards and was tied for the second-most touchdowns in the conference with 26. Those 4,000+ yards were also good enough for fifth overall in all of college football.

The main concern with Darnold starting Week 1 is how quickly he can pick up the playbook, and if he can improve on some of his decision making. Darnold’s 13 interceptions were tied for the most of any QB in the Pac-12.

Sam Darnold Stats

Earlier this year the third-overall pick of the draft was progressing well in OTAs and impressed new Offensive Coordinator Jeremy Bates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRg_3lEJ6no

One argument to start the rookie from the get-go is that when you look at the season as a whole, based on opening win totals, the Jets will face the fifth-easiest schedule.

Darnold’s training camp got off on the wrong foot, though, as the rookie was holding out to sign his deal and only did so last week. In his short time in camp Head Coach Todd Bowles already sees improvement.

“He is grasping the offense,” said Bowles. “It has only been barely a week for him. He is getting better every day and we will go from there.”

Sam Darnold has now officially agreed in principle to a contract with the Jets, a source tells @AdamSchefter.

Darnold's four-year, $30.25 million contract is fully guaranteed and includes a $20 million signing bonus. pic.twitter.com/nVXUNR1atH

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 30, 2018

Teddy Bridgewater

The long shot to earn the starting job is Bridgewater, who signed a one-year free agent contract with the Jets. The 25-year-old was expected to assume the franchise quarterback role with the Vikings before sustaining a serious knee injury in practice two years ago.

He sat out all of 2016 and played backup to Case Keenum once he recovered last season. All told, he’s thrown a total of two passes in the NFL over the last two years.

Teddy Bridgewater Stats

When he was in the lineup pre-injury, Bridgewater put up some of the most impressive numbers of any recently drafted QB.

The highest career completion percentage under pressure from every draft class since 2006. pic.twitter.com/gg0bof87KA

— PFF (@PFF) July 12, 2018

Best Bet to Start for the Jets in Week 1

Pick: Josh McCown -140

It seems unlikely Bridgewater wins the starting job, outside of a truly incredible preseason or a serious injury to one of the other contenders. It’s more likely Bridgewater parlays a strong preseason into a trade to start for another team.

Darnold is only 21 years old and McCown, the career backup, is the consummate pro to ease Darnold into life in the NFL. As of last week, he was also still QB1 according to Bowles.

“Josh is one, Teddy [Bridgewater] is two, Sam is three right now,” coach Todd Bowles said. “That’s what I can tell you.” He continued, saying, “Josh is one and I don’t know what else to tell you. They have to beat him out.”