Darnold Mania has not changed Todd Bowles's caution

Todd Bowles did his best to stop Sam Darnold's flying gear on Wednesday.

Since the Lions' 48-17 Jets beat Lions on Monday night, Dornold has been hailed as the savior sought by the Jets since Joe Namath left the city four decades ago.

Bowles' message to those who do it? Slow down.

"It's only one game," Bowles said. "Sitting here and saying it's great, whether it's in the trash or something else, it's too early for that."

Darnold rebounded after a difficult start to the game by launching an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the first game of the match. He settled down and ended up throwing two touchdowns in the win.

Patience no longer exists in 2018, so there has been a rush since the Jets recruited Darnold to decide whether he will be the quarterback of the franchise. This has only gotten worse since Monday. Bowles was asked if he thought the Jets had found their quarter of franchise.

"We won a game," said Bowles. "I can tell you after 100 more if we have one or not. Right now, it's a bit early.

So, come back in about six years.

As for Darnold, the California boy showed his composure Monday night and again Wednesday, saying that attention would not go to the head. It's not as if it's new to the 21-year-old. He was the most scrutinized player in college football last season at USC.

"Just by being at SC, I'm used to some attention," said Darnold. "I know that last year at SC, it was a little hectic for Heisman [Trophy] talk and all that. I'm pretty used to that. It's different now to be in the NFL and all those expectations and everything. It's different, but at the same time, I'll continue to be myself. I myself am all my career – high school, college and now the NFL. I do not see myself changing anytime soon.

Bowles said that over time, they will know if Darnold may be the long-term answer sought by the Jets. First of all, he has to go through difficult times.

"He has to go through some things as he will do every week," Bowles said. "Each week will be different for him, as for all the young people on the team. You grow with the position. It is not green. He is very strong. He is doing very well. I trust him to make the necessary adjustments.

Jets' CEO, Christopher Johnson, has praised Darnold since the team recruited him in April. Johnson spoke to the media on Wednesday and did not change his tone. He rethought the March 17 trade with the Colts to move from 6th to 3rd place in the draft as a critical moment in the history of the Jets.

"I think the three-way trade was crucial," said Johnson. "This may be the most important decision the organization has made in a long time."

Darnold showed the personality that teammates and coaches love on Wednesday. Someone asked if he could have done anything differently during the first part of the game.

"Yeah, do not start it," he laughs. "It's the easy answer."

Darnold showed his resilience Monday and his teammates have praised his calm since his arrival.

"I think I've always had that calm, calm attitude and all that," Darnold said. "Especially after this first play, it was simply not to do any more silly things and go out and take what the defense gives me. That's all I could control after that, because I know that everything that happens in the past is the past. That's how I look at it. That's how I was raised. I think that has a big role to play with that.