All fans I know are excited for Sam, but no one is saying there's a need to start him this year at all.
McCown and Teddy (if healthy) are fine. Hell Teddy could be really good.
With that said, I'm with Rich on this one. Just because he doesn't have to play, doesn't mean you stubbornly hold him back. If/when the kid is ready, he plays. I'd rather deal with the inevitable growing pains in 2018 instead of 2019.
@RichCimini: I can make it real simple, Joe: When Darnold is deemed ready by coach Todd Bowles, he will be the starting quarterback. It really doesn't matter how Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater perform in the preseason. They're the supporting actors in this new production; Darnold is the star of the show and it makes no sense to hold him back if he can function in the position.
Based on recent NFL history, I'd say there's a 65 percent chance he will start Week 1. Where did I come up with that number? Of the 17 quarterbacks picked in the top 10 in the 2008 to 2017 drafts, 11 started on opening day. Mitchell Trubisky (fifth game), Blake Bortles (fourth) and Blaine Gabbert (third) were close behind.
Moral of the story: If you're investing that much in a quarterback, don't be afraid to play him as a rookie. It might not be pretty -- only four of the 17 made the playoffs -- but tackling the growing pains is a necessary evil.