New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold "has a very fair shot" of winning the quarterback battle and starting the team's Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Jets surrendered the sixth pick and three second-round selections to the Indianapolis Colts in order to move up to the number three slot, where they drafted Darnold. The USC product faces fierce competition for the quarterback job, which includes veteran Josh McCown and 25-year-old Teddy Bridgewater.

The source told Schefter that the Jets are pleased with how he's performed thus far, and that Darnold "is further along than they thought." He signed his rookie four-year contract worth $30.2 million last week.

New York hasn't made the playoffs since the 2010 season, but they were among the most productive teams during free agency. General manager Mike Maccagnan brought back McCown on a one-year deal. He signed Bridgewater, who missed all of 2016 and virtually the entire 2017 campaign with a torn ACL injury.

Maccagnan also signed cornerback Trumaine Johnson, linebacker Avery Williamson, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor and running back Isaiah Crowell. But his biggest move of them all was surely trading up to land Darnold, whom many scouts consider the most sure-thing quarterback in this year's draft.

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The Jets have supplied Darnold with a handful of quality pieces, but they have two proven veteran quarterbacks that can start if they don't believe he's ready. But so far, it sounds like Gang Green loves what they've seen from Darnold, and the starting quarterback gig may be his to lose.

Having too many quarterbacks is a good problem to have for the Jets, but head coach Todd Bowles has the difficult choice of deciding who he's confident with. There are pros to starting each, but Darnold definitely comes with the most upside.

As we await the start of pre-season, Darnold will be worth keeping an eye on as he tries to win what will be an intense quarterback battle.

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