WATCH: Why Jets QB Sam Darnold earns begrudging praise from his opponents

Every NFL team is obviously focused on their own progress and development. However, that doesn't mean there's no room for giving credit where it's due to the opposition.

The quarterback position is the most vital component of a football team and the Jets now believe they have a franchise cornerstone. Sam Darnold took some lumps during his rookie season but closed out with a strong December.

In his final four games of 2018, Darnold amassed 931 yards, six touchdowns and only one interception.

Darnold has followed up with an impressive display in training camp and even his opponents can't deny the potential of the second-year pro.

What a ball, what a catch.

Sam ➡️ Quincy | #JetsCamp pic.twitter.com/eEK4WMZE15
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 5, 2019

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport shares to New York Jets.com what other teams are saying about Darnold heading into this season.

"If you watched him in December, you’d say, ‘This guy is going to be really good.’ When I go around to other teams, nobody likes to give credit for anything," Rapoport said. "But when you go around to other teams, even they say, ‘I think that Jets quarterback is going to be really good.’ He showed up in great shape, he showed up thinner and he obviously works hard and cares about it.”

It's one thing for the media and analysts to be high on Darnold. Yet when the praise comes from your peers, it absolutely resonates on an elevated level.

Meanwhile, former Jets wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson believes Darnold will benefit from playing under Adam Gase.

"Well I think he’s going to develop obviously under Coach Gase," Johnson said to New York Jets.com. "I think the mindset of an offensive head coach is totally different than having a defensive-minded head coach that put such a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the ball."

Darnold and the Jets kick off the preseason on Thursday against the host Giants in the annual summer rivalry. Darnold won't get much reps but it's still going to be exciting to see him under center in a game for the first time in eight months.

Based on the comments from his opponents, a sophomore surge could be in the works for the promising signal caller.