Can Sam Darnold play himself into becoming the 2023 starter?

[ncstatekwi]

[frankw]

6 hours ago, stratocatter said:

Eyeball test on Darnold says he is looking really good.

Results say he had a 53.6 QBR with 3 turnovers and was bested by a man twice his age. You guys will settle for anything.

[Mr. Scot]

I'd say he's played himself into being next year's backup.

There's been a "diminishing returns" sort of thing going on with him as a starter, but if you only need him in spots he could be fine.

[parker]

No.  Darnold still has his issues.  He was good enough to get us through the year. If we can upgrade the QB position, we need to do it.

[glenwo2]

5 hours ago, NAS said:

This is the Darnold we hoped to see when we traded for him. Should we forget about how bad he looked last year and look at his overall performance this year?  He didn’t sulk when losing his job and continued to work hard so he could be ready to take advantage of his opportunities. He has played really well and with more poise than ever. 
I think Sam should be retained at least as a bridge quarterback while whomever is drafted this year and  Coral have a chance to develop. Sam has shown that he can play in the right situation with the right coaching and protection. He still struggles when protection isn’t there and makes poor decisions.  I think we may have already seen his ceiling, can make all the throws but inconsistent mentally to be a franchise QB. If he can somehow continue to develop that pary of his game he is still young enough. He has definitely saved his career.

Imagine how badly Baker looked in this offense and Darnold was able to flourish. Perhaps with the Rams or the 49ers he could be a top 10 QB. Darnold has proven he still can be a professional QB in the NFL.

Needless to say that trade with Jets looks a lot better than it did a couple of months ago. I know many Jets fans who wish they would have kept him instead of drafting Zach Wilson who looks like a total bust. 

I imagine the Jets (of all teams) may come to Darnold and offer him a contract to come back but I think Sam would say "Not doing that sh-t again.  No thanks.  I'd rather be a backup here".  lol

5 hours ago, Khyber53 said:

This, exactly.

If you look at Sam as a second year player, which he really is to us with a horrible coach his first year, then look at what he is doing now, then you should be able to see how much progress he has made. And the guy is just 25 years old. He's got the arm, he's settled down and he is better at taking what the game is giving than ever before. And the chemistry he has been developing with DJ Moore and the other receivers is actually visible.

Another off season in this program with coaches that can coach and a team that believes in him and we could very well have a good QB, all for the price of  what was it a second round draft pick? 

Me, I'd offer Sam a prove it contract for next year. Say $8 million guaranteed with a buttload of incentives for great game play and even a massive one for a Super Bowl appearance for us. Add in a option for the team for years two and three at starting QB rate salary in case he does really take off.

That dumbass investment we made in Darnold a while back is finally starting to pay off. It would be foolish to ditch him now. 

Roll into the 2023 season with Darnold and Corral, perhaps pick up a late round QB in the draft for training camp competition. Spend this year's top picks on TE, DE, CB and other needs.

Amazing how it works out.   Fitterer's DUMB-AS-F*CK (it still is) decision to pick up Sam's 5th year option may have turned out to have saved Sam's NFL career.  

A case of Sh-tty Process, Good result (for Sam) here. 

[glenwo2]

4 hours ago, parker said:

No.  Darnold still has his issues.  He was good enough to get us through the year. If we can upgrade the QB position, we need to do it.

I agree but is paying up the nose for Carr the answer?

[CMAC22]

1. Is Sam a longterm future franchise QB NO cause he still has his issues and will not push you over the top or elevate us or any team to a Super Bowl!

2. Is Sam a very short term bridge Qb or backup yes he is and would be ok if the Panthers resigned him to be in one of those roles here!

 

 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Panthers need a long term answer at QB.  Sam is not the answer.   if you can find that answer he is good enough as a backup and spot duty as a starter. 
 

[parker]

35 minutes ago, glenwo2 said:

I agree but is paying up the nose for Carr the answer?

I'm not sure that's the route either.  

[MHS831]

9 hours ago, Khyber53 said:

This, exactly.

If you look at Sam as a second year player, which he really is to us with a horrible coach his first year, then look at what he is doing now, then you should be able to see how much progress he has made. And the guy is just 25 years old. He's got the arm, he's settled down and he is better at taking what the game is giving than ever before. And the chemistry he has been developing with DJ Moore and the other receivers is actually visible.

Another off season in this program with coaches that can coach and a team that believes in him and we could very well have a good QB, all for the price of  what was it a second round draft pick? 

Me, I'd offer Sam a prove it contract for next year. Say $8 million guaranteed with a buttload of incentives for great game play and even a massive one for a Super Bowl appearance for us. Add in a option for the team for years two and three at starting QB rate salary in case he does really take off.

That dumbass investment we made in Darnold a while back is finally starting to pay off. It would be foolish to ditch him now. 

Roll into the 2023 season with Darnold and Corral, perhaps pick up a late round QB in the draft for training camp competition. Spend this year's top picks on TE, DE, CB and other needs.

Signing Darnold now, a player who has been to the bottom and sat and watched while contemplating his fate--a player with a half decade experience in the NFL--carries less risk than a top draft pick in 2023.  He is showing growth--and I think there might be something there. 

And I really want to focus on a few other spots.

[Khyber53]

20 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Signing Darnold now, a player who has been to the bottom and sat and watched while contemplating his fate--a player with a half decade experience in the NFL--carries less risk than a top draft pick in 2023.  He is showing growth--and I think there might be something there. 

And I really want to focus on a few other spots.

Exactly. We aren't just a QB away. We are just a few players away, though, and Sam has played well enough to be an intriguing avenue into going after those players. If he continues to progress into next season as he has so far in this one, then you may have gotten a young steady QB past that two year learning curve and can see some dividends. I think he has proven that he has been dutifully doing his homework while sitting on the bench. The kid effin' grew up and he's playing well -- better than the other rookie candidates out there have turned out this season. 

Maybe he's just the bridge QB, maybe he is just a Derek Anderson top notch back up, maybe he is the starter coming into his own. It's worth it to hold on to him and find out. 

[mav1234]

4 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Exactly. We aren't just a QB away. We are just a few players away, though, and Sam has played well enough to be an intriguing avenue into going after those players. If he continues to progress into next season as he has so far in this one, then you may have gotten a young steady QB past that two year learning curve and can see some dividends. I think he has proven that he has been dutifully doing his homework while sitting on the bench. The kid effin' grew up and he's playing well -- better than the other rookie candidates out there have turned out this season. 

Maybe he's just the bridge QB, maybe he is just a Derek Anderson top notch back up, maybe he is the starter coming into his own. It's worth it to hold on to him and find out. 

I agree with all this - as long as he's relatively cheap.  However, I think a new coach is likely to want to go in their own direction.  We'll see.

[*FreeFua*]

On 1/2/2023 at 6:26 AM, frankw said:

Results say he had a 53.6 QBR with 3 turnovers and was bested by a man twice his age. You guys will settle for anything.

I’m willing to trade the farm to get our guy at QB this offseason but I can’t put either of those fumbles on Sam

Sam wasn’t expecting the snap on the first one and the second Ickey was beat so cleanly Sam had no chance

[mav1234]

3 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

I’m willing to trade the farm to get our guy at QB this offseason but I can’t put either of those fumbles on Sam

Sam wasn’t expecting the snap on the first one and the second Ickey was beat so cleanly Sam had no chance

Yeah. This is why fumbles aren't always on a QB's exact stat sheet. Its true some INTs aren't on the QB, but that blindside sack-fumble was completely out of Sam's hands given how quick it was.  Sam's INT was definitely on him.

I am with you on going for a QB this offseason, but Sam has played quite well the last month+.  Certainly good enough to be our bridge or backup depending on what he wants, compensation wise.