What were some encouraging signs to take from Sam Darnold’s competitive debut for the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 against the New York Jets?
Although Sam Darnold has a pretty calm demeanor, he’d be forgiven for letting the emotion of going up against his former team when the Carolina Panthers hosted the New York Jets in Week 1.
Thankfully for the Panthers, Darnold managed to hold it all together and do just enough for his side to open their 2021 campaign with a 19-14 success at Bank of America Stadium.
It’s worth remembering that this is just Week 1 and Darnold had only one half of football during the preseason. Carolina opted to focus more on reps in joint practices rather than warmup games, which was a theme used across the league ahead of a 17-game schedule.
Overall, Darnold’s performance was pleasing.
Not exceptional by any stretch. But the Panthers might have something providing the protection in front of Darnold makes the necessary improvements.
Sunday’s game against one of the worst teams in the league in the midst of a substantial rebuild was a good place for Darnold to start. The added incentive of sticking it to his former employers didn’t hurt, either.
With this in mind, here are three reasons for fans to be encouraged by Darnold’s display in Week 1 at Bank of America Stadium.
Sam Darnold’s improved footwork
Watching how Sam Darnold maneuvers in the pocket when pressure inevitably comes his way is going to be one of the key elements regarding his production this season. Quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan has been working tirelessly with the USC product on footwork throughout the offseason, which was put to the test for the first time in Week 1.
Now, there will be sterner tests in terms of opposition. But the early indications are that Darnold has made some strides with his feet in recent months.
The Carolina Panthers offensive line was probably as advertised outside of stud right tackle Taylor Moton, who turned in another polished display. This makes it even more essential Darnold is able to move in tight windows and deliver the football downfield consistently to progress the chains.
Again, it wasn’t perfect.
But with the bigger picture in mind, it was highly encouraging.
Despite not having Marcus Davenport through injury, the New Orleans Saints defensive front is sure to give Carolina and Darnold all they can handle in Week 2. Especially considering they are also riding on the crest of a wave following an emphatic win over the Green Bay Packers.
Darnold has sneaky athleticism. Something he’ll need every inch of next weekend and in the games to follow.
Sam Darnold made good choices under pressure
One doesn’t have to look far to examine where things went wrong for Sam Darnold on the New York Jets. Bad decisions while constantly under duress proved to be his eventual downfall.
Something rookie quarterback Zach Wilson also got a taste of on his full NFL debut in Week 1.
This has to get better with the Carolina Panthers if Darnold wants to turn his career around. Thankfully, he got himself off to a good start against his former employers.
As Matt Rhule stated on Monday during his media availability, Darnold was under pressure far too much. However, the signal-caller remained composed and demonstrated a fearless approach to staying in the pocket and distributing the football effectively when opposing pass-rushers were flying in his face.
This came with the odd hit here and there. But all par for the course when playing in front of this sort of protection.
Darnold can take plenty of confidence from this. Something that he was relatively devoid of during a torrid three years at MetLife Stadium.
Things will get better as the games go on. The first couple of weeks are always hit and miss until players across the league truly find their feet.
If Darnold can build on this and continue to make the correct reads under pressure, it’s going to do his chances the world of good.
Sam Darnold proved he can handle the big occasion
Going up against the New York Jets right out of the gate could have been a gift or a curse for Sam Darnold. This all depended on how the quarterback handled the spotlight in the face of a team that gave up on his earlier this offseason.
Couple this with so much uncertainty about whether Darnold has what it takes to be a productive NFL starter and it’s not hard to see why some were expecting the worst despite the huge upgrade in talent around him.
Darnold was treating this as just another game. Or at least that’s what he was telling everyone in the lead-up to Sunday’s contest.
It all came down to handling the occasion with the right mindset.
For the most part, Darnold accomplished this feat.
Of course, there are a couple of throws Darnold would like to have back. Especially when it came to execution in the red zone.
But overall, Darnold looked at ease and there was always the option of Christian McCaffrey to call upon out of the backfield during some unsure moments.
You can take it with a grain of salt because it was only the Jets if you want to. But considering what was at stake for Darnold, his poise proved he can handle the big occasion in the right situation.