Joe Namath believes Sam Darnold will step up in Year 3

Joe Namath has all the confidence in the world in Sam Darnold that he’ll improve in 2020.

Joe Namath is still banking on Sam Darnold.

Namath was on Mike Tirico’s NBCSN show “Lunch Talk Live” this week and was asked about Darnold’s growth as a quarterback. Namath realizes that Darnold has areas in which he needs to improve, but the Hall of Famer also recognizes that Darnold needs good players around him in order to be successful.

“Sam can play,” Namath told Tirico. “He’s growing, he’s going to improve, he’s going to get better, but like most things in life, it’s a team game. He’ll step up. I believe he’s going to get better, but he needs the teammates also, and they’re improving. Douglas has done a great job bringing in some new players.”

Namath is right in the sense that when Darnold is given time to make a play, he can make almost every single throw. Sometimes, Darnold tries to force things — that’s where the majority of his turnovers happen — but the quarterback hasn’t exactly had a strong supporting cast in his first two seasons. New York’s offensive line has been miserable since he entered the league, while the receiving corps hasn’t exactly been stocked with talent.

As Namath said, Douglas has brought in a bunch of new players that could support Darnold better. The offensive line could have five new starters this season. Meanwhile, Darnold’s weapons should be stronger with Chris Herndon coming back from injury and the additions of Breshad Perriman, Denzel Mims and Frank Gore.

The clock is ticking on Darnold as he enters Year 3. He’s been cut plenty of slack given the players around him, but the expectation is that he takes a massive leap in 2020.

Namtha believes he will, but that’s no guarantee.