USAT: Panthers Wire audio clip

USAT: Panthers Wire

Jan 16, 2022
2021 Panthers·

Head coach Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers went all in on quarterback Sam Darnold heading into the 2021 campaign. Not only did they ship off second and fourth-round picks for the failed New York Jets experiment, but they also committed to his fifth-year, $18.5 million option for 2022. But now, with that first season in the books, Rhule can’t go in at all with Darnold. On Thursday, Rhule joined WFNZ’s The Nick Wilson and Stan Norfleet Show to review the past, present and immediate future of the franchise. Of those futures discussed was Darnold’s, which Rhule couldn’t exactly commit to. “Yeah, I can’t say that,” he said when asked if he’s planning on Darnold being his Week 1 starter. “And I don’t wanna make excuses for Sam when I say he’s a young quarterback. I think I said that a lot early on. I still see good things from Sam that he does. I thought the last game was one of his better games.” In that final game a 41-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the fourth-year passer completed 29 of his 42 throws for 219 yards, two touchdowns and two turnovers. Tape aside, perhaps it’s a damning indictment on Darnold that an outing where he barely cracked 200 yards with an interception and a lost fumble is considered “one of his better games.” Regardless, Rhule believes there is much more work to be done on offense outside of whoever is ultimately under center. “I think the better pieces that we continue to put around him both in terms of developing our young offense linemen that we have and putting them into positions to be successful and the system that we hope to put in place, no matter who the quarterback is,” he continued. “A lot of things have to align for a quarterback to play well. But whether it’s the quarterbacks we have here, whether it’s someone from the outside we recognize you have to win in the National Football League with really good quarterback play.” Rhule, appropriately enough, was then asked about what role Cam Newton could potentially have if a return is indeed in the cards. Outside of his usual praise of the franchise’s greatest player, he didn’t have any concrete assurances for him either. “I believe that Cam can still play, should still play and I think he brings a lot to a team,” Rhule said. “He’s brought a lot to me as a coach. He’s brought a lot to me personally. Other than that, I’ll probably reserve all those conversations for the appropriate time.” At this time, the Panthers are (and should be) open to whatever possibilities they can entertain at the position. So don’t be surprised if Rhule is on his third opening-day starter in as many seasons when September rolls around. RelatedCould Panthers still fire Matt Rhule if hiring processes go south? RelatedPanthers, Matt Rhule prove stubborn in their handling of Cam Newton List What we learned from Panthers HC Matt Rhule and GM Scott Fitterer on Monday Email Sign up Like this article? Sign up for the Panthers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning An error has occured Please re-enter your email address. Thanks for signing up! You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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