Oct 31, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) walks off the field against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
It turns out, Sam Darnold might just be bad. After a three-interception day against the New England Patriots, Robby Anderson had enough.
Bill Belichick has had Darnold’s number since his days as a New York Jet, and that wasn’t going to change as the Patriots took on the Panthers Sunday afternoon.
Darnold threw three interceptions against the Patriots, and failed so miserably that his own teammates were screaming at him on the sidelines. After his third interception, Darnold was seen upset on the sidelines. Robby Anderson let him have it as well.
It’s tough to blame Anderson, who simply wants his quarterback to throw the ball in time and on target. Darnold has done none of that for weeks, and even contributed to the Patriots point total via a pick-6 to J.C. Jackson.
Carolina Panthers depth chart: Could they bench Sam Darnold?
P.J. Walker is currently the backup quarterback, so if they were to bench Darnold, it likely wouldn’t come in favor of him (no offense). The Panthers could sign a quarterback via free agency, with the best current option being former Carolina quarterback and MVP Cam Newton.
Could a reunion eventually be in the works?
Odds are, Matt Rhule will stick with Darnold at least for the next few weeks. Should he continue to struggle, why not give Walker a few snaps to see what he can do?
It sure can’t be worse than what we’ve seen the last few weeks from Darnold, and Anderson would likely agree.