The Panthers have a new starting quarterback getting adjusted for the second straight summer. While Teddy Bridgewater won over his teammates quickly, he never really measured up physically compared to his predecessor and ultimately that’s why he failed in 2020 and was traded.
For Sam Darnold, there’s no doubting his athletic prowess and overall potential. The intangibles are still an important part of his new job, though. Here’s how All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey described the 23-year old Darnold’s leadership, per the team website.
“He’s very laid back, but he’s definitely a leader too. . . And he knows when to put his foot down when he needs to and be a leader when he needs to. I think that’s something that makes all quarterbacks great. Just demanding attention to detail, demanding a sharp practice, demanding a sense of urgency. that all starts with every individual, but the quarterback touches the ball every play. So if he shows it, then everybody else will rally behind it.”
Darnold may still be young, but he does have three seasons’ worth of starts with the Jets. That experience could be invaluable as he takes over a new offense that’s significantly more talented than his previous one.
In related news, McCaffrey says that he’s sticking with No. 22 this season after flirting with the idea of switching to No. 5, which he wore at Stanford.
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