INDIANAPOLIS – Sam Darnold was Joe Burrow two years ago.

In 2018, Darnold was the quarterback at the NFL Scouting Combine everyone believed would be the No. 1 pick. Instead, the Browns chose Baker Mayfield with the top pick in 2018 and Darnold was available for the Jets to snag with the No. 3 pick.

Two years later, we’re still not sure if Darnold is definitely the answer for the Jets’ longtime quarterback woes. At times, he makes you a believer with incredible throws and poise. Then, he makes a boneheaded decision that makes you wonder. Through 26 career games, he has not shown the consistency to convince you he will be great.

As much as the next few months will be about who the Jets add in free agency and the NFL Draft, whether they re-sign Robby Anderson, extend Jamal Adams and find a way to co-exist with Le’Veon Bell, the 2020 Jets season is all about Darnold and whether he can take that next step.

Yes, he needs better blockers in front of him. Yes, he needs better receivers to target. Yes, he needs coach Adam Gase to call plays that help him along. But this is also on Darnold, who in Year 3 needs to show he can elevate those around him.

“Sam needs to step the F up,” is how one of his former teammates put it recently.

This is where we remind you that Darnold is still very young even though he has been on center stage for a while now. It feels like that Rose Bowl win at USC was so long ago it was broadcast in black and white. The truth is Darnold does not turn 23 until June, so it is far too soon to draw any conclusions on what he will or won’t be. Burrow, the LSU star who has been working out with Darnold in California, is actually older than Darnold by six months.

Darnold’s 2019 season got derailed before it even left the station thanks to his bout with mononucleosis. A two-week span in October showed the good Darnold (338 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Cowboys) and the bad Darnold (four interceptions and a fumble in a loss to the Patriots a week later).

This will be Darnold’s second year in Gase’s system, something that should help his progress. Gase said this week that Darnold should have a firm grasp on the basics of his offense now and that should enable him to play quicker.

“I’m really encouraged by where he can go from here,” Gase said. “I think he has, obviously, the skill set. You guys see that. When you guys see him throw the ball in practice and in training camp and during the games, some of the throws that he makes, it’s one of those things where you just shake your head like, ‘How did he make that throw?’ It’s just really going to be about consistency, game in and game out. Can he be the same guy every game? I think that’s something he’s always going to work on and hopefully we can get him there this year.”

Darnold needs to get there this year. Jets fans are low on patience. It has been nine years since they have watched their team in a playoff game and nearly 20 since they saw a playoff game at home.

Those fans’ hopes ride on Darnold’s right arm. It is time for him to erase their doubts. The Jets’ 2020 season is riding on it.