Jets fans are screaming for Adam Gase’s head and arguing that quarterback Sam Darnold has regressed under his tutelage.

But that duo would argue they’re just now finding their footing together – and that slow-developing chemistry may be Gase’s best argument for sticking around beyond 2019, despite how horribly his first season in charge has gone.

“I think especially the last two weeks his communication to me has been awesome,” Gase said. “He has been very direct of, “Here’s what I like, here’s how I want to do this, here’s how I want to do this,” which cuts out all of these steps because he is telling me how he is seeing it.”

On first glance, it may seem like that should have been happening all along. Some may argue that Gase should have helped Darnold reach this level of comfort far earlier. After all, they’ve been working together since April – meaning Gase has had six months to drill his principles into Darnold’s head.

But Gase seems to understand why it took his 22-year-old pupil until now to really take ownership of this offense.

“He’s learning our stuff, he’s trying to get all of the little nuances out,” Gase said. “Until you master something, it is hard to say, ‘Hey, here’s how I want it,’ when you don’t know all the things going on and it’s like you are learning, learning, learning. I think he is to the point where ... he really feels more comfortable than what he’s ever felt since he’s been in the offense.”

Darnold admits that Gase’s assessment is accurate. The three games he missed due to mono probably didn’t help, either. But Darnold he also said this progression from absorbing information to commanding it has more or less mirrored his experiences under offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates last season.

So, with that in mind, it seems safe to assume that Darnold would have to restart that process again this spring if the Jets decided to cut Gase loose after just one season.

More learning, less leading. More observing, less ordering.

“I think having the same system two years in a row would definitely benefit for sure,” Darnold said.

Darnold’s need for some consistency sure seems like the best argument Gase could possibly make on his own behalf to acting owner Christopher Johnson.

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But first, Gase and Darnold have to prove that this newfound confidence and control actually mean something between the lines. Gase said this expanded authority from Darnold started two weeks ago – but Darnold has thrown four interceptions in a pair of losses during that span.

That said, there are still eight games left. If Darnold can parlay this added confidence behind the scenes into some strong performance and, better yet, wins down the stretch, that’ll be a huge boost to Gase’s chances of sticking around for 2020 – whether Jets fans like it or not.

Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at mstypulkoski@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.