After handing the Browns their first win since 2016, Todd Bowles isn't ready to give up on the Jets.
The Jets lost 21-17 on Thursday night as Baker Mayfield made his maiden voyage on an NFL field, leading the Browns on a thrilling comeback victory.
"We're a tough-minded team," Bowles said Friday, via Newsday. "I know we got good character, and I know we'll fight and I know we have a decent team. I just got to cut down and fix some things."
No. 3 overall draft pick Sam Darnold was bettered by No. 1 pick Mayfield. Darnold went 15-for-31 for 169 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
"He's competitive and he tries to win every game and he has a fire within that you really can't see," Bowles said. "But in all, I thought he competed his butt off. I thought \ was one of his better ballgames from a mental standpoint, from a toughness standpoint and a grit standpoint."
Bowles also believes his rookie QB 'grew' on Thursday night, just his third NFL start.
"I thought he grew a lot last night. Going in and watching the schedule, after he won the starting job, I thought this would be his toughest game from a scheme-coverage standpoint because of the things they do on that side of the ball. I thought he handled it well."
Darnold and the Jets go again next Sunday against the Jaguards.