The Aaron Rodgers comparison resurfaces for New York Jets QB Sam Darnold

Aaron Rodgers's name has popped up again while an NFL expert discussed New York Jets young quarterback Sam Darnold. What's a young NFL career without added pressure? Don't ask Sam Darnold; he doesn't know. The New York Jets quarterback who just turned 23 on June 5 experienced all types of pressure. Attempting to fill the quarterback shoes of an organization that hasn't employed a true franchise face since Joe Namath is more than enough pressure for any player. Now, the California kid needs to (yet again) experience the comparison of one of his quarterback brothers from the same state. Pro Football Talk's Chris Simms used Aaron Rodgers's name when discussing young Darnold. “I saw improvements from year one to year two with Sam Darnold in some areas," Simms recently said. "He has got a very quick release. He can get it out of his hand as good as about anyone in the NFL not named Aaron Rodgers as far as quickness throwing it. He is phenomenal in the pocket. I mean a master Jedi in the pocket. He has got phenomenal feet. He has got great feel. He is one of those guys that can move around the pocket and it looks like he is looking at the rush the way is he avoiding these guys, but yet he can look downfield and still evaluate his receivers and the coverage, and still make throws that way.” While labeling Darnold a "master Jedi" in the pocket may be a little too strong, his awareness skills are on point---perhaps too on-point when things are going wrong (i.e. the Ghost game). And his quick release is as legit as any thrower in the league, which is why the Rodgers comparisons make sense. In fact, this isn't the first time Rodgers has been brought up when somebody discussed Darnold's skills. Last training camp, Rodgers's former teammate, Ty Montgomery, also couldn't help but mention the two quarterbacks in the same discussion. “He’s got that little whip he does,” Montgomery said last August when describing what makes Darnold and Rodgers similar quarterbacks. “He can throw without his feet set … and still throw an accurate ball downfield. “He’s got this, like … if I played quarterback, I probably wouldn’t be able to do it,” Montgomery added. “But he’s got this real quick flip. I’ve seen him throw the ball downfield. I’ve seen his feet set left and throw the ball right. He’s talented, for sure.” Of course, Darnold has a long way to travel before the Rodgers comparisons can be treated with any legitimacy at all. Rodgers is a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and he's won a total of 10 playoff games for the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers once threw 45 touchdowns to just six interceptions over the course of a single season. Naturally, many Darnold fans will throw their hands up at such a comparison. Why even discuss such a topic until it's time? Then again, why not, if the skill set looks to compare? Both throwers release the ball phenomenally, can navigate the pocket and use their legs efficiently, and can throw on the run with the very best of them. The area Darnold needs to really clean up immediately is his overall footwork. Due to his ability to throw on the run and from many angles, his throwing stance has become extremely open and his footwork very sloppy. Now that Joe Douglas has completely revamped the offense line, it's time for Sam Darnold to take that next (first) big step in his professional career.