The Jets' third-year quarterback made it clear that he still believes Gase is the right man for the job.
"He's the right leader for this team, for sure," Darnold said Tuesday on a Zoom call with reporters. "I think for me, personally, he's helped me grow a ton as a quarterback in learning this offense, and I just think throughout the weeks leading up to games he does everything that he possibly can to put us in position to win on Sundays. From my experience with coach Gase, I've had nothing but positive experiences with him so far."
More than anyone else, it will be Darnold who can impact Gase's standing with the team and provide the coach with the kind of credibility he'll need to be on the job long term. While it is unquestionably a big year for Gase to convince the Jets he can be a consistent winner, it is as big a year for Darnold to prove he can lead this team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and back to the Super Bowl since ... the 1968 season.
