FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — There was no sign of Sam Darnold as the New York Jets opened training camp.
The No. 3 overall draft pick officially became a contract holdout when the team began its first practice of the summer Friday without its prized rookie quarterback.
“He’s not here,” Coach Todd Bowles said, “so I’m coaching the other (89) guys.”
Darnold joins Chicago linebacker Roquan Smith, the No. 8 choice, as the only unsigned picks from the entire draft.
Under the NFL’s labor agreement, contract holdouts by rookies are uncommon because deals are slotted based on draft position. Darnold will receive a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $30.247 million, including a $20 million signing bonus.
“It’s part of the business,” Bowles said. “We’ve got two other quarterbacks who can play, too.”
The dispute seems to hang on contract language. If a player is cut during his rookie contract, offset language provides the team with financial protection. Not having offset language allows a player to receive his salary from the team that cut him, as well as get paid by another team that signs him.
Offset language is common in rookie deals. Both Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick by Cleveland, and Josh Allen, seventh overall by Buffalo – the quarterbacks drafted before and after Darnold – have offsets in their contracts. In fact, Allen and Darnold share the same agent in Jimmy Sexton.
“Any time you’re not here, you lose something,” Bowles said. “It’s been a day. Obviously, when he comes in, we’ll get him caught up. Right now, I’ve got (89) other guys to worry about.”
Darnold, 21, is expected to compete for the Jets’ starting job with 39-year-old Josh McCown, the incumbent who is coming off the best season of his career, and Teddy Bridgewater, working his way back from a knee injury nearly two years ago.
Both McCown and Bridgewater received an increased workload during the team’s 21/2-hour practice as the only signed quarterbacks on the roster.
Darnold is considered the future of the franchise, and he impressed his teammates and coaches during offseason workouts and minicamp with his work ethic, ability to quickly grasp the playbook and to not repeat mistakes. The former USC star’s progress will be the top story line for the Jets during training camp.
When Darnold shows up, of course.
“Obviously, from a learning standpoint, you want to be here as a soon as possible,” McCown said, adding that the players understand the business side. “There’s no substitute for being here.”
Darnold acknowledged during the offseason that he had to make several adjustments since joining the Jets, including calling plays in the huddle – something he hadn’t done much at USC. He also said the increased pace of the game is evident, even in practice.
But the Jets are confident Darnold will be a quick study – and a potential franchise-type quarterback.
• Jets wide receiver ArDarius Stewart was suspended by the NFL without pay for the first two games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
CHARGERS: Jason Verrett, a former Pro Bowl cornerback, tore his Achilles tendon during a conditioning test, one day before the first practice of camp. The Chargers will do more tests to determine the severity of the injury, but it’s another heartbreaking blow to a promising player who has been unable to stay healthy in the NFL.
After making the Pro Bowl during the 2015 season, Verrett missed 12 games in 2016 and 15 games last season due to a persistent knee injury. He returned to full practices during the Chargers’ recent offseason workouts.
GIANTS: GM Dave Gettleman, 67, says the aggressive cancer he was diagnosed with last month is in remission.
FALCONS: The Falcons agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract extension with left tackle Jake Matthews.
TITANS: The Titans and Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker agreed to a two-year extension keeping him under contract through the 2020 season.
The Titans also signed Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan to a five-year contract.
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