DJ Moore opens up about Panthers' offense, Sam Darnold
DJ Moore has big expectations for the Panthers as he enters 2022, as he’s expecting his team to make Carolina proud next season.
His head coach — former Baylor leader Matt Rhule — is firmly on the hot seat entering his third season with the franchise. However, Moore joined The Rich Eisen Show to speak about why he believes their system entering this season is much better than in the past.
“We have a better system in place right now,” started Moore. “We all understand the main goal this year is to be better than last year. Well, I want to be way better than last year, because you know we didn’t do too well.
“So, everybody’s main goal is just to do way better than last year, and try to make the playoffs this year.”
The Panthers hired former New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo to takeover play-calling duties on offense, and Moore believes it’s going to pay dividends for Carolina.
“I feel like it’s a better structure for us to go into this year than previous years,” added the Panthers wide receiver. “I could tell you a little something like the offense is way better than previous years. We have a lot of upgraded weapons and calls that’ll help us out this year.
“(McAdoo) brought a bunch of new things. .. Just learning his terminology with things is hard, but it’s going to work in the long run.”
However, the biggest question mark remains current Panthers starting quarterback Sam Darnold. While fans may have soured on him after last season, Moore isn’t ready to give up on the former USC star.
“I could see a growth in him already from OTAs,” started the former first rounder. “You know, everything has been hectic this offseason for him, in the news wise with all the quarterbacks moving around. So, the way he just handled it. He was talking to everybody, he was so poised. Then he came in, and he had to learn a new offense. He just took it full head on.
“He’s been good with Ben, and Sean [Ryan] with the quarterbacks. I haven’t seen no downward spiral for him. It’s all upwards for him.”
Still, rumors have persisted of potentially bringing disgruntled Cleveland Browns star Baker Mayfield to Carolina. According to Moore, the team is paying no attention to it.
“No. In the locker room, you know when it all started, it might’ve been a few things. But it was just was all like, let’s just leave it to the people upstairs,” the former Maryland star stated, regarding the rumors. “They get paid money to make those decisions. Whatever happens, we’ll just rock out with it and adjust from there.”
As you can see, DJ Moore is supremely motivated to bring winning back to the Panthers — and he believes Sam Darnold can be the quarterback under center who does so.