4 reasons Sam Darnold should not start again for the Panthers in 2021
By Dean Jones
Throwing Sam Darnold to the wolves
Regardless of Sam Darnold’s erratic production and the fact things aren’t going to plan across multiple areas for the Carolina Panthers, there is also the strength of schedule to consider if Matt Rhule wants to put him back under center.
It doesn’t look like Darnold will be ready to go for Week 15 at the Buffalo Bills. Carolina then has two games against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the final three weeks, with a divisional battle at the New Orleans Saints sandwiched in between.
Both teams boast formidable defensive units, which would make things extremely difficult for Darnold after so long away from the gridiron. If he isn’t 100 percent, then it hampers his chances further.
Darnold wasn’t exactly thriving in the face of mediocre opposition midway through the campaign. Throwing him to the wolves down the stretch could have some long-term effects if the Panthers plan on giving him another opportunity to at least compete for the starting job in 2022.
The fact this is even a discussion further indicates just how badly Carolina has handled their quarterbacks. Rhule is going forward with a two-player approach at the position despite this method rarely working, which is down in no small part to his lack of belief in Cam Newton or merely because he cannot properly evaluate signal-callers at the pro level.