By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Jets finally have rookie quarterback Sam Darnold under contract, after a holdout that cost him the first three days of training camp practices. So here is what Darnold must show the Jets, in order to win their starting quarterback job. He will compete with Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater during camp.

Don't Edit

AP Photo

The battle between Darnold, Bridgewater, and McCown will be fascinating to watch.

Don't Edit

POISE

This hasn't been an issue for Darnold so far. But the Jets are asking a lot of him this summer ... and throwing a lot at him. So he needs to remain collected in all areas — on the field and off. Again, he is a fairly even-keel guy, so we don't anticipate this being a problem for him.

Don't Edit

NJ Advance Media

LEARN FAST

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates isn't holding back with Darnold, in terms of the playbook load he is asking the kid to learn. During spring practices, Darnold soaked it up just fine. But things will come fast and furious in training camp. Can Darnold keep up? The Jets don't want to treat Darnold like a rookie. They gave him plenty of first-team reps in the spring. Expect that to continue in camp.

Don't Edit

LIMIT TURNOVERS

These have been a massive problem for Jets quarterbacks in recent years. Think about Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick. All turnover machines at one time or another during their tenures with the Jets. The Jets need Darnold to take care of the ball ... and to keep two hands on it in the pocket. Not doing that caused his fumbling issues last season at USC. But Darnold has shown progress in this area.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Don't Edit

QUICK DECISION MAKING, THROWS

So much of Bates' West Coast offense is predicated on short, quick, timing throws. So Darnold doesn't have a lot of time to sit back in the pocket and scan the field. The offensive approach simply doesn't allow it. Darnold will have to think quickly in the pocket in addition to learning quickly in the classroom. A quick passing release wasn't much of an issue for him in the spring. He throws the ball with nice zip.

Don't Edit

NJ Advance Media

PRE-SNAP PROGRESS

This is an interesting hurdle. Darnold is still getting used to making long play calls in the huddle, while commanding that huddle. He needs to be assertive around the veterans. And he is also getting used to making pre-snap audible calls at the line of scrimmage — something he didn't have to do at USC. All of this stuff should come with experience for Darnold.

Don't Edit

LEADERSHIP

This ties into that command of huddle stuff. Darnold can't act like a rookie, even though he just turned 21. He needs to be assertive around the Jets' veterans. They're willing to welcome him, but he has to show (and act like) he belongs.

Don't Edit

BE SMART UNDER PRESSURE IN POCKET

Darnold made a couple poor throws under the fake "pressure" that comes in spring practices, when quarterbacks can't be hit. How will he fare in preseason games, when he actually can be hit? Will he make the rushed throw under pressure or wisely choose to tuck the ball or throw it away?

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Don't Edit

CONTINUED SUCCESS ROLLING OUT

Darnold rolls out equally well to both sides, and throws on the run just fine. So far so good with this, based on what we saw in spring practices. The Jets might need to ask him to do a bunch of rolling out and throwing on the run if their offensive line struggles again this year. And Darnold does a fine job in this area anyway.

Don't Edit

SEPARATE HIMSELF WITH ARM STRENGTH

He probably has a stronger arm than McCown and Bridgewater, based on what he saw in spring practices. Keep it up with impressive deep balls, and Darnold should be just fine in training camp. We don't anticipate this being a major hurdle or issue for him in camp.

Don't Edit

REMAIN HEALTHY

Well, yeah. This goes back to making wise decisions under pressure in preseason games. Darnold need not attempt to play hero ball in those games. Don't take stupid, big hits when he doesn't need to. Just fight to play another day in those situations, and stay healthy for when games actually matter.

Don't Edit

RAPPORT WITH JEREMY BATES

Darnold appeared in the spring to be developing a very nice relationship with Bates, who consistently offers positive encouragement to his players in practices. Bates is energetic and upbeat, which bodes well for a relationship with a young, developing quarterback. How will Darnold handle criticism, though?

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Don't Edit

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.