Adam Gase was already thrilled to inherit Sam Darnold. The Jets’ new coach was excited to have a young franchise quarterback he could mold.

He grew even more enthusiastic when spring workouts began, and he noticed one stark difference in the young signal-caller from what he had seen in two games against him as the Dolphins coach.

“I don’t think I realized how strong his arm was,” Gase said Monday.

Throughout training camp, it’s been apparent. Teammates and coaches have echoed Gase, that Darnold’s ball has more zip, his spiral tighter, able to fit passes into narrow windows without the receiver creating much separation. Darnold agrees, believing it is a combination of his comfort level in the offense and standing with his teammates along with his preparation.

“I think a lot of it has to do with knowing where my arm needs to be, because in the past, going through the draft and the combine and all that stuff, I was pushing it a little too much early on because I had to,” he said. “I was trying to be at my peak performance for [my] Pro Day and when you’re trying to get ready for an NFL season, that’s not when you want to be at your peak performance.”

After finishing his rookie season strong, throwing just one interception in his last four games and tossing six touchdown passes, Darnold spent the offseason trying to get into the best condition of his life. He lifted weights and ran a lot, which he believes is a factor in his improved arm strength. Specifically, his hip strength and flexibility. Most of all, he is sure of himself, and knows where he wants to go with the ball, which Darnold believes is a factor, too.

“I’m definitely a lot more comfortable and confident in myself,” he said.

Watching Darnold through the spring and so far in training camp, Gase has at times sounded downright giddy about his new quarterback. While much has been made about what the quarterback guru can do for Darnold, Darnold could be pretty good for Gase as well.

“I think what it’s allowed me to do is, it’s easy for me to call plays,” the coach said. “You don’t worry about, if you have a negative play, you’re ready to call the next one. He’s not the kind of quarterback you’re looking to protect. You are kind of looking at it in terms of, let him work the offense and get on the ball and use the running game to help him. There’s no limitations on him and it’s fun as a play-caller.”

New running back/wide receiver Ty Montgomery said Darnold has one characteristic that reminds him of one of the sport’s great quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers, who Montgomery played with earlier when he was with the Packers. Like Rodgers, Darnold has a whipping motion that enables him to deliver the ball without his feet being set and yet not lose any velocity on his passes.

“Some of those throws he makes, he can’t step into it, the pocket’s collapsing and he can throw it 40 yards down the field,” Gase said. “You don’t see a lot of guys being able to do that.”

“Dude’s got a hell of an arm,” Montgomery said.

And, apparently, it is only getting stronger.

“Right now, I feel great heading into the year,” Darnold said. “I’m right where I want to be.”