4 best and worst-case scenarios for Panthers QB Sam Darnold in 2021
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold comes through in the clutch
The Carolina Panthers were on the lookout for a new quarterback this offseason due to Teddy Bridgewater’s inability to come up with the goods in key moments. Last year’s marquee free-agent signing went 0-8 on game-winning or tying drives in 2020, which contributed significantly to the team going 5-11 for the second straight season.
Sam Darnold will be expected to do much better. And head coach Matt Rhule has a firm belief that he can despite little in the way of production to back this up over the last three years.
Even if Bridgewater had come through in even half of those moments, it could have resulted in the Panthers securing an unlikely playoff spot in a weak NFC with a 9-7 record in the first year of Rhule’s reign. Having a signal-caller that can get it done with the game on the line separates the good teams from the great, so if Darold can hold his nerve and guide Carolina to a few more wins, bringing him to the organization was the right call to make.
It will be immensely interesting to see if Darnold can raise his game.
The jury is still well and truly out in regards to whether he can reach the ceiling expected of a former No. 3 overall selection. But in terms of finding the right fit, Darnold couldn’t have ended up in a much better situation considering his previous predicament.