5 riskiest Carolina Panthers jersey purchases in 2021
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
The Carolina Panthers have a new quarterback in Sam Darnold next season. His trade from the New York Jets cost the organization three draft picks and although they got two of them back during an unprecedented period of movement up and down the board in 2021, bringing the former USC star on board is a huge gamble.
And buying his jersey is a big risk, too.
Darnold has a lot of arm talent, of that there is little doubt. However, his decision-making and footwork are often suspect and it’s going to take a pretty drastic turnaround to make an immediate impression with more talent at his disposal in the passing game.
Carolina picked up Darnold’s fifth-year option following the draft, which gives them two years to see if he can become the man to lead the organization moving forward.
This will undoubtedly be his final chance to prove his capabilities as a starting-caliber signal-caller. One thing is for sure, it won’t take long to figure out how much of the blame Darnold deserved for a torrid three-year stint at MetLife Stadium.
Fans who bought Teddy Bridgewater’s jersey last season are probably regretting it. He failed to meet expectations and was shipped to the Denver Broncos after just one year under center.
The same might apply to Darnold when it’s all said and done.