USA Today via Reuters
Jan 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Chase Winovich (50) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Chase Winovich (50) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
GM Joe Douglas and the New York Jets thought they secured a phenomenal deal by drafting Sam Darnold as the 3rd overall pick at the 2017 NFL Draft. The former USC quarterback arrived in the Big Apple with great expectations. But his three-year stint with the Jets ended on a sour note this summer.
He threw for 2,208 passing yards with 9 passing TDs against 11 interceptions in 2020. Following the departure of HC Adam Gase, GM Douglas made the call to trade Darnold to NFC South franchise, Carolina Panthers, for three future draft picks.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 27, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Adam Gase talks with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Critics have argued that Darnold is not necessarily an upgrade on Teddy Bridgewater who signed a three-year deal with the Panthers last year. But one certain analyst opines otherwise.
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Sam Darnold tipped for a successful stint with Carolina Panthers
"The reality is: Sam Darnold was never given a proper opportunity in New York."
Darnold is poised for a 'post break up glow up' in Carolina, says @the_sportspaige. pic.twitter.com/JbnIkhEPVf
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 14, 2021
Reputed NFL analyst Paige Dimakos was the latest guest to feature on Fox Sports NFL. She was quick to back Sam Darnold to succeed with his new organization after a nightmarish stint with the New York Jets.
She said, “The truth is Sam never had a chance….The difference between where he is then and where he is now is going to be massive. The big part of that is Christian McCaffrey and Joe Brady. Joe Brady, the now offensive coordinator in Carolina, not that long ago was helping Joe burrow at LSU.”
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USA Today via Reuters
Dec 20, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“Now fast forward a year and a half later, and he is going to be one of the hottest head-coaching candidates come next offseason, quite frankly, he was already getting opportunities this last offseason. Pairing him with Sam Darnold would be the most epic way for him to get a head coaching job. The reality is Sam was never really given an improper opportunity. It was an institutional failure from the top-down ownership,” Dimakos told Fox Sports.
It will be interesting to see how HC Matt Rhule deals with the quarterback conundrum on his hands this year. Both Bridgewater and Darnold possess the skill to stake their claim for a starting berth.
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Who do you think will be the first-choice QB in Carolina when the season starts in September? Tell us in the comments section below.
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