Panthers feel QB Sam Darnold will 'benefit from a reset'

Published Sep. 1, 2021 2:59 p.m. ET

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Rhule was sitting in his office earlier this offseason watching game film of an opposing player when his focus suddenly shifted to New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Carolina Panthers coach eventually emerged from his office at Bank of America Stadium and walked down the hall to see general manager Scott Fitterer and asked, “You think Sam would ever be available?”

A few phone calls later, and Rhule had his guy.

The Panthers traded second-, fourth- and sixth-round picks to the Jets for Darnold, who fizzled out in New York after going 13-25 in three seasons as a starter. Yes, he’s a bit of a reclamation project, but the Panthers feel he can thrive in the right environment with the right coaches and playmakers around him — and help solve their quarterback woes following a 5-11 season.

“I think Sam can really benefit from a reset,” Fitterer said.

There’s no doubt Darnold has more weapons with which to work in Carolina.

Running back Christian McCaffrey is back after missing 13 games with injuries last season, wide receivers D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson are coming off 1,000-yard campaigns, and rookie wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and free agent tight end Dan Arnold have also been added to the mix.

Darnold has been up and down during training camp, but looked good in his most extensive preseason action last week throwing for 162 yards and two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers' second-team defense.

“We like his athleticism, his size and especially the arm strength — the ability to throw the deep ball. We like that," Fitterer said. "And everything, like the person that he is, the toughness and the work ethic — all of those things really stood out to us.”

Darnold's first hurdle will be facing the Jets, Carolina's opponent in the regular season opener.

“The biggest thing for him is having poise, and he has that," McCaffrey said.

McCAFFREY'S RETURN

McCaffrey became only the third player in NFL history to amass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a single season en route to earning All-Pro honors in 2019. He played well last year, too, but injuries limited him to 259 total yards and five TDs in three games.

Now McCaffrey is back and eager to get going after

“It teaches you a lot and you learn about yourself when you are forced to go through adversity — you either fold or keep going,” McCaffrey said. “It was tough at first and I have such a big appreciation for this game. I will never take that for granted.”

MARSHALL EMERGING

Keep an eye on Marshall, the team's second-round draft pick out of LSU, who could wind up being a huge beneficiary of playing alongside starting receivers Moore and Anderson where he should receive plenty of single coverage.

The rookie led all NFL wide receivers in the preseason with 181 yards on nine receptions while showing big-play potential.

It's no surprise Marshall has emerged on the scene so quickly given his familiarity with Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, whom he worked under at LSU. Marshall had 23 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Tigers and Brady knows how to use his skillset.

BURNING UP THE DEFENSE

Defensive end Brian Burns appears

OFFENSIVE LINE CONCERNS

The Panthers

INITIAL KICKS

The Panthers are

___

More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL