5 Carolina Panthers players who desperately need to develop in 2022
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
The Carolina Panthers put all their chips into the middle when they gave up three draft picks over two years to secure Sam Darnold‘s services. Even though the quarterback showed almost nothing to suggest he could be a capable NFL starter on the New York Jets, those in power felt that this was a risk worth taking considering the distinct lack of quality around the signal-caller at MetLife Stadium.
Darnold did some thorough work trying to rid himself of bad habits alongside quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan – a man that has progressed the likes of Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson during his career before arriving in Carolina.
Sadly, Ryan was unable to work his magic on Darnold. At least not straight away, anyway.
The same processing flaws were evident as soon as Christian McCaffrey went missing from the lineup and the footwork complications also did the USC product absolutely no favors on his road to potential redemption.
Darnold completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He was sacked 35 times, earned a 71.9 passer rating, and ended the campaign with a dismal 33.2 QBR.
Whether Darnold can eradicate some major problems from his game from a technical standpoint is unclear. But he might get one more shot after the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option with a guaranteed $18.85 million.