The Carolina Panthers thought they could be the organization to get more out of Sam Darnold, and even gave up three draft picks to acquire him. They also owe him $18.6 million in guaranteed money next season.
And even with a new team and new staff, Darnold looks exactly like the quarterback he was with the New York Jets (and his turnover issues were the same at USC)- which is to say, not good.
Darnold entered Week 9 with seven touchdown passes, eight interceptions, and a 76.8 passer rating on the season.
Well, things are only getting worse. Darnold completed 16-of-33 passes for 172 yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 26.3 passer rating in a 24-6 home loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday in Charlotte.
All three interceptions came in the second half.
Two of the interceptions were by J.C. Jackson, one of which was an 88-yard pick-six (and both interceptions were made in the red zone).
J.C. JACKSON WILL TAKE THAT 88 YARDS TO THE HOUSE! #ForeverNE
📺: #NEvsCAR on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/jpx2XlRZ0D— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
J.C. Jackson is gonna get PAID in the offseason. His second INT of the day! pic.twitter.com/5Yr6poasKS
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) November 7, 2021
Darnold was also picked off by Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins.
Sam Darnold is once again seeing ghosts against New England as Jamie Collins intercepts the pass pic.twitter.com/sfKSu55OUJ
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) November 7, 2021
Sam Darnold looks lost on the sideline pic.twitter.com/KEhMh8exCb
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) November 7, 2021
And after the third interception, Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson — who was teammates with Darnold in New York — yelled at Darnold on the sideline.
This doesn’t seem good for the Panthers. 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/RWq3mlHea4
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) November 7, 2021
Darnold after his 3rd INT. This one in the end zone. pic.twitter.com/zMZtY3zSVW
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) November 7, 2021
Will Darnold remain the Carolina quarterback going forward this season? Panthers head coach Matt Rhule didn’t exactly give Darnold an endorsement.
Matt Rhule: “I don’t want to lay it all on one guy, but we can’t keep throwing the ball up in the air.”
Is Sam Darnold still the guy? “We can’t keep doing that.”
— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 7, 2021
So, this isn’t going well for Darnold and the Panthers- and that’s not a huge surprise to many football fans and evaluators.
Here’s a sampling of how the NFL world reacted to Darnold’s performance:
At some point, we need to start believing what our eyes are telling us about Sam Darnold… No more excuses about the supporting cast or coaching staff.. There’s a pattern of play that shows us exactly who he is as a player.. https://t.co/6YoULjvn8f
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) November 7, 2021
Sam Darnold has been absolute perfect on throws to Patriots CB J.C. Jackson today.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 7, 2021
Hey bro, Sam Darnold just can’t help it. I know he’s trying and I know he’s working, but this interception thrown to Jackson was just brutal. USC Sam, Jets Sam, Panthers Sam, it really doesn’t matter. They all throw the ball to the other team.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) November 7, 2021
Sam Darnold's career as an NFL quarterback is over. It wasn't his previous coaching staff. It wasn't his previous o-line. It wasn't his previous lack of receiving weapons.
He is just terrible.
— Rob Pizzola (@robpizzola) November 7, 2021
Since ESPN began tracking pocket designations in 2009, no player has finished a game with 0 completions and multiple picks from outside the pocket.
Sam Darnold Sunday: 0-of-6, 2 Int from outside the pocket pic.twitter.com/Z68NJeZUlZ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 7, 2021
Sam Darnold in his career vs. the Patriots:
1 touchdown
9 interceptions
Zero wins— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) November 7, 2021
In the worlds most obvious take, I’m still shocked that the Panthers took a CB at 8 with 2 QBs on the board. Feels like they actually bought into the “it was just Adam Gase!!” narrative, and they’re paying for it now.
At least their defense is pretty good?
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) November 7, 2021
Adam Gase just needed to get away from Sam Darnold.
— Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) November 7, 2021
Sam Darnold and JC Jackson today: pic.twitter.com/i7D3oaiyfP
— AP Football 🌵𓅓 (@Light_2610) November 7, 2021
Darnold is awful
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) November 7, 2021
Sam Darnold’s full Sam Darnold again
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 7, 2021
Joe Douglas would’ve been sent to the moon if he ran it back with Darnold
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) November 7, 2021
Sam Darnold is really bad
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) November 7, 2021