4 reasons Sam Darnold should not start again for the Panthers in 2021
By Dean Jones
Fan reaction to Sam Darnold
The Carolina Panthers got the fans back engaged when they decided to mend fences and bring back Cam Newton. Although this hasn’t come with much success on the field, it’s given supporters hope with the former NFL MVP leading the charge.
Whether it was Matt Rhule or David Tepper who made this move is irrelevant. One suspects it might be the former rather than the head coach, but unless Newton starts turning things around on the field his second spell with the Panthers might be a short one.
If Rhule pulls the trigger and starts Darnold over Newton, that will be the tipping point for the majority of Carolina’s fanbase who are rapidly losing faith in the head coach to make the right decisions and get this team trending in the right direction.
It’s somewhat unfair on Darnold. He didn’t ask to be traded to the Panthers and it won’t be the No. 3 overall selection in 2018 that demands to go back to the top of the depth chart.
But the reaction would not be good, nonetheless.
Just what’s going to happen at the position this offseason is unclear. Both Newton and P.J. Walker are out of contract, with Darnold’s production in 2021 indicating he might not be the man to lead them long-term.
Simply put, starting Darnold again is more trouble than it’s worth.
There isn’t a debate to be had about that.