The move was widely expected after the Jets traded Teddy Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints. Veteran Josh McCown will be Darnold’s backup.
Darnold, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, will be 21 years and 97 days when he gets his first start, making him the second-youngest starter in the NFL in the post-expansion era, according to Opta.
Only Tommy Maddox, who started for the Denver Broncos when he was 21 years and 81 days old on November 22, 1992, was younger when he got his first start.
Darnold earned that distinction. He showed poise, accuracy and ball security in making his case to be the starter out of the gate, though his numbers were hardly eye-popping.
He completed 29 of 45 passes (64.4 per cent) for 244 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the preseason and was sacked three times.
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