4 key observations from Sam Darnold’s performance vs. the Bucs

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) Sam Darnold
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) Sam Darnold
2 of 4
Sam Darnold
(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold’s early momentum was extinguished

Although Sam Darnold had been away from the gridiron for a considerable period of time, the quarterback produced a moment of magic right out of the gate. Avoiding pressure with encouraging pocket movement, the signal-caller dropped a dime to wide receiver Shi Smith for a big gain that was easily the rookie’s most impressive reception of the season.

This was encouraging and undoubtedly gave Darnold’s confidence a big boost.

But this was taken away by Matt Rhule immediately after.

With the Carolina Panthers in the red zone, Darnold was called to the sidelines as Rhule put Cam Newton back into the game. Something that didn’t pay off and forced them to settle for a field goal.

Whether things would have been different had Darnold stayed in the game at that juncture is debatable. But it was another microcosm of the poor handling of the quarterback position by the Panthers in 2021.

All it took was one turnover from Newton to get Darnold into the game. To take him out after such a solid play was mind-boggling.

One of the primary factors behind any quarterback is allowing those under center to get themselves in rhythm. A luxury that Rhule is not affording Newton or Darnold at the present time.

Schedule