Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo always saw something in Sam Darnold, even before he took a snap in the NFL. Now that the two are in the same building, perhaps they can make a little magic together.
On Tuesday, McAdoo spoke to the media for the first time since being hired as the team’s new play-caller this offseason. Amongst the topics breached, Joseph Person of The Athletic brought up the coach’s comments regarding Darnold as a prospect back from 2018.
McAdoo, who had been recently fired by the New York Giants at the time, praised Darnold a bit—stating he had “magic” in his game and was a “talented guy.” Apparently, even after four frighteningly underwhelming years from the former third overall pick, the same still goes for him today.
“Sam was one of the people that intrigued me to the job, to be honest with you,” he said this afternoon. “I think Sam does have some magic in his game. I think he’s got some athleticism to him. I’m excited to work with Sam, and we’ve been working the last few days here to kinda get up to speed on the offense. And he’s shown flashes of being a good player in this league. And working together, hopefully we can get that to show up more consistently.”
Not too long after the 2018 draft, McAdoo sat down with Paul Schwartz of the New York Post and dissected the incoming class of quarterbacks. When the conversation shifted to Darnold, McAdoo noted those intriguing traits—but did have some concerns.
“He can overcome it, guys have, but that’s something that’s a challenge for me,” he said about Darnold’s inefficiencies as a thrower in the interview. “I’m gonna be looking at that, trying to fix it, because it’s a fundamental flaw, and I believe in the fundamentals. The quarterback, his No. 1 job is to pass the football. If I don’t like the way he throws the ball, I have a hard time picking him, right?”
Well, he and Darnold will certainly have some time to iron out those fundamentals now. Because, after all, he is the starter, right . . . ?
Ben McAdoo asked if he looks at Sam Darnold as his starting quarterback didn't hesitate: "Yes.'' He later said he put his foot in his mouth naming a starter, saying, "That is something I shouldn't have said.''
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 19, 2022
