4 key results needed for a successful Sam Darnold season in 2021
By Brian Lane
Sam Darnold throws single-digit INTs
There has never been any question that the talent is there for Sam Darnold. One of the knocks on him has been the ability to keep the ball out of other opponents’ hands.
In 2018, his first year as a starter, he threw 15 interceptions. In 2019, Darnold saw that number decrease by a few in only throwing 13.
The quarterback followed this up by throwing 11 interceptions last season. Granted he did play in fewer games in 2020, but Darnold is trending in the right direction in terms of taking care of the football.
The challenge for Darnold with the Carolina Panthers will be an additional regular-season game added. But with the likes of Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore, and Christian McCaffrey, the USC product should not have to be under the same pressure on every possession he experiences in his time with the New York Jets.
It sounds simple, but take care of the football and success will follow.
Sam Darnold needs to stay healthy
If one knock on Darnold is the turnovers, the other would have to be staying on the field consistently. In 2018 and 2019, he only appeared in 13 games those seasons, missing three contests as a rookie with a sprained foot and another three in Year 2 of his professional career with the infamous mononucleosis diagnosis.
In his final season with the Jets in 2020, he missed four games with a sprained shoulder. Wins and losses start with the quarterback, so a healthy Darnold puts the Panthers in the best possible position to be successful.