Rhule realized what he was doing when he pulled Darnold in New York, the site of Darnold's tumultuous three years with the Jets, and how it would set the stage for days or weeks of second-guessing and speculation about the Panthers' decision to trade for Darnold, and to pick up his 2022 option.
"The last thing I want to do is embarrass somebody," Rhule said of replacing Darnold with P.J. Walker. "Because I know this is going to be the story this week. But I believe sometimes, if you go back to the old days before all the pressure, quarterbacks would have to sit for a little bit. Sam will define who he is. This is up to him. But we wanted to get something going. . . .
"Sam will be the quarterback. I just wanted to get something going today."
While he sounded a vote of confidence in Darnold, Rhule was also clear that his quarterback needed to play better. The system isn't built for Darnold to do it all himself, and without injured running back Christian McCaffrey and with an offensive line that got another shuffle Sunday, that stability isn't there.
In the three games with McCaffrey, Darnold committed two turnovers. In the four games without his star running back, Darnold has committed eight (seven interceptions and a fumble).
"He just needs a lot of help from a lot of guys right now that he's not getting," Rhule said. "But I see all the good moments too. I see the good things. We're going to keep coaching him. . . .
"Obviously, I want Sam to play better. But he's the guy."
A number of teammates echoed a sense of belief in Darnold. When asked if he trusted Darnold as the starter, center Matt Paradis replied: "One hundred percent. We trust Sam. I trust him. He's a great quarterback, he's a great man. And I trust him."
Defensive end Brian Burns was equally confident in the moment's after the loss: "A hundred percent. He's my teammate, I believe in him, he's our starting quarterback."
Darnold himself didn't appear shaken, or any different than his normal postgame bearing. Then again, Darnold doesn't generally change much that way, win or lose.
He said he "internalized" the decision to replace him, and dismissed the importance of the setting.
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October 25, 2021 at 05:08AM
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Matt Rhule says Sam Darnold is still his quarterback - Panthers.com
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