Sam Darnold Reacts To Losing Panthers Starting Quarterback Job To Baker Mayfield: ‘It Sucks’

“When we started this process, we were looking at three things,” Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said, via the team website. “No. 1, mastery of the offense, No. 2, situational football excellence, and No. 3, moving the ball and getting guys involved. That’s been our focus all along.

“Baker has made a lot of improvement, a lot of growth in all three areas in a short amount of time.”

Following the Panthers practice today, Sam Darnold met with the media, where he admitted that it “sucks” that he won’t be leading the offense to start the regular season.

“For me, it sucks, to be quite honest,” Darnold told reporters.

Despite his clear disappointment in how things shaked out, Darnold remains adamant that he’s there to help the team in any way he can. He also maintained that the QB competition was handled fairly by Rhule and the rest of the Panthers’ brass.

“We were fighting for the starting job,” Darnold said. “Every day was our game day out there during camp, especially as we got into these last couple weeks . . . Obviously, it didn’t go my way. Coach named Baker the starter. My mindset is, it is what it is. For me, right now, I’m gonna do everything I can to support Baker and get him ready to play a game.”

Sam Darnold is currently slated to make $18.9 Million to backup Baker Mayfield this season. But it’s hard to imagine he’ll have many opportunities to be a starter in the league after his contract expires after the season.

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