Sam Darnold was extremely thrilled this past offseason when he was traded away from the New York Jets to the Carolina Panthers. Darnold was in party mode. This Sunday when the Carolina Panthers take on the New York Jets, he is ready for his revenge. Sam Darnold wants to prove to the New York Jets that they made a mistake moving on from him.
He only completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,208 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season in New York. Darnold also rushed for 217 yards on 37 carries and two touchdowns, in 12 games played.
He also has the better weapons in Carolina. Sam Darnold is reunited with former New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson. He also has rookie wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., wide receiver D.J. Moore, and running back Christian McCaffrey in the backfield to throw the football to.
This should give Sam Darnold the motivation to go kick his former team in the teeth. What also helps him is that he doesn’t have to deal with Adam Gase anymore. Darnold’s new offensive coordinator this season will be Joe Brady.
I would honestly be surprised if Sam Darnold doesn’t throw for at least 300 yards and at least three touchdowns against his former team on Sunday afternoon.
When the New York Jets decided to move on from Sam Darnold in the offseason, they selected Zach Wilson with the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of BYU. Wilson played in 12 games last season at BYU. He completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 3,692 yards 33 touchdowns and three interceptions. Zach Wilson also rushed for 254 yards on 70 carries and 10 touchdowns.
I don’t think Zach Wilson is the talent coming out of college that Sam Darnold was. If Darnold gets off to a great start on Sunday afternoon, he is going to have a bounce-back season and potentially a career season. If he doesn’t, then the Carolina Panthers may be in for a long season.
Photo credit: slgckgc on VisualHunt
