Matt Rhule addresses pulling Sam Darnold, starting QB in Week 8

Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Sam Darnold is the starting quarterback moving forward, per reporter Darin Gantt. Darnold was benched in Week 7 against the Giants, but Rhule said that move was an attempt to provide a spark for the offense.

The Panthers trailed 15-3 going into the fourth quarter on Sunday, due in part to an interception thrown by Darnold in the redzone. He also received an intentional grounding call that resulted in a safety for the Giants.

Darnold went 16 for 25 with 111 yards and a pick before leaving the game. Rhule called on second-year Panthers backup P.J. Walker. Walker went undrafted out of Temple in 2017.

On Walker’s first drive of the game, he threw two incompletions and took a sack.

Matt Rhule said he was “bought in” on Sam Darnold earlier this week during a call with reporters in New York, according to ESPN’s David Newton. Rhule was asked about Carolina’s interest in trading for Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

“I’m bought in on Sam,” Rhule said, via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “My biggest thing is making sure that me and [quarterbacks coach] Sean Ryan and [offensive coordinator] Joe Brady do a better job of putting Sam in the best position. He’s my focus and I expect him to play his best football moving forward. I’m not looking anywhere else.” 

The Panthers are played at MetLife Stadium, Darnold’s former home with the New York Jets. His record at MetLife is 8-11 with 26 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He threw six picks to four TDs the past three games for Carolina heading into Week 7.

On the season, the former USC Trojan first-rounder is throwing completions 61.2% of the time with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The now 3-4 Panthers are 3rd in the NFC South. They’ll take on the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 31 before going back home for a game versus the New England Patriots.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.