After spending the last two years of his career protecting Sam Darnold’s blindside, Kelvin Beachum sees royalty in the quarterback’s future.
Beachum just signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals after three seasons in New York. Beachum and Darnold undoubtedly got to know each other well over the last two seasons, but the lineman is worried Darnold might forget him as his career progresses.
“I texted him yesterday and told him to remember the little people like me when he’s the King of New York,” Beachum joked during an interview with NFL Radio. “He’s the real deal.”
Darnold has shown flashes of greatness during his two NFL seasons, but he’s also made plenty of mistakes. Granted, his supporting cast has often lacked, but Darnold has had trouble with his decision-making, regularly trying to force throws and turning the ball over.
This upcoming season will be Darnold’s most important. He has yet to make that big jump from an average starting quarterback to a great one. The Jets revamped the offensive line and added a few new weapons for Darnold, so there will be less room for error in 2020.
Beachum, for one, believes that big things are awaiting the 23-year-old. He thinks Darnold has what it takes to be the Jets’ quarterback of the future. Whether or not Darnold will remember his old lineman once that happens remains to be seen, though.