Jets' Bowles on Darnold's 1st practice: 'I told him he was late'

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold took the training camp field Monday for the first time after signing his rookie contract earlier in the day, and head coach Todd Bowles told the No. 3 overall pick - who arrived about 10 minutes into practice - that he was behind schedule in more ways than one.

"I told him he was late," Bowles told reporters, via NJ.com's Darryl Slater. "The (quarterback) competition has been underway. It just didn't start today. It started Thursday when we reported for camp. He's got some work to catch up and do."

Darnold's negotiations were reportedly held up by a dispute over an offset clause that would have absolved the Jets from paying his full salary if the quarterback was cut and then signed elsewhere. In the end, the offset clause was included, but the Jets made concessions as well, including their stance on guaranteed money.

After missing three training camp practices, Darnold wasn't at his best during team drills Monday, according to Bowles, who added that he's confident in the former USC signal-caller's ability to learn the offense.

"First day of camp for him," Bowles said. "It looked like the first day of camp. He'll get some studying in and he'll catch up. You understand the ramifications of missing three practices, but he can catch up and he's got time to catch up. But he's got to put his head down, because everybody has a head start."

Darnold is expected to play in the Jets' first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons next Friday. He'll compete with veteran quarterbacks Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater for the starting role.

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