Jets' Darnold says he was involved in HC search

The New York Jets made a commitment to Sam Darnold when they selected him third overall in the 2018 draft, and, as a result, they've trusted him with some important decisions after his rookie season.

Darnold spoke to Sports Illustrated's Jacob Feldman about adjusting to New York and revealed he was heavily involved in the team's head coaching search, which led to the hiring of Adam Gase.

"I was fortunate enough to be a part of that process of hiring a new coach. So we had been discussing. I had talked to Gase. I had interviewed him, but we were really just talking, trying to get to know him and I had done that with a few other coaches and I really liked Gase. I really liked what he was about. I know the system that he has and all the success that he's had with other players as well," Darnold said.

"I just knew that with him coming in and also Gregg Williams on the defensive side, the combination of those two guys, they're going to create so much energy in the building. I think that's going to be very contagious for our team. And I knew that right when we hired him it'd be the right fit, and I think that's the biggest thing, when talking about hiring coaches, is are they going to fit in well with the guys."

Darnold underwent some growing pains during his rookie year, completing 57.7 percent of his passes for 2,865 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions as the Jets slumped to a 4-12 record. New York fired head coach Todd Bowles on Dec. 30 and hired Gase on Jan. 11.