Sam Darnold sets NFL record in Carolina Panthers loss on Sunday

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold isn’t exactly known for his rushing ability. Through the first three years of his NFL career with the New York Jets, Darnold had five rushing touchdowns. He has matched that total through just four games in his first season with the Panthers. In doing so, Darnold became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for five touchdowns in the first four games of the season.

Darnold is also the sixth quarterback in the NFL since 1970 to rush for multiple touchdowns in consecutive games, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Even while in college with the USC Trojans, Darnold had just seven rushing touchdowns in his two seasons.

In the Panthers 36-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Darnold rushed six times for 35 yards and two touchdowns. He was also 26 of 39 for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Through four games with the Panthers, Darnold has completed 67.8% of his passes for 1,189 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also has 52 yards and the five scores on the ground.

The Panthers are 3-1 on the season. They sit tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South division.

Darnold is proving what he is capable of with an improved supporting cast with Panthers

In three seasons with the Jets, Darnold had a 13-25 career record, completing just under 60% of his passes for over 8,000 passing yards, 45 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions. The Panthers acquired Darnold from the Jets in the offseason in exchange for multiple draft picks.

Darnold was the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USC. His talent was undeniable through his collegiate recruitment. Many believed coming into this season that Darnold had a lot of untapped potential. One of those people was ESPN’s Matthew Berry.

“If Sam Darnold is even competent, I think that offense puts up numbers,” Berry said in the offseason. “You think about what Carolina likes to do, they’ve got speed out the wazoo. Finding ways to get those guys in space and get yards after catch, there’s going to be free yards everywhere for Sam Darnold.

“Now imagine, what if Sam Darnold is actually good? What if Sam Darnold is the guy we thought he was coming out of college? Every scout backwards and forwards was like, ‘This guy is the real deal.’”

Early returns suggest that Darnold has proven Berry right. Getting out of New York has seemingly been great for Darnold. He is establishing himself as a viable starting quarterback in the NFL.

“I’m buying into the narrative of getting out of (former Jets head coach) Adam Gase’s system and getting out of the New York market. It was a franchise that had a lot of challenges. It was talent depleted. And being in the New York market as the number one pick for a team and the number three overall pick in the NFL Draft as a young guy,” Berry said. “I’m on Sam Darnold this year as a sleeper. I think the Panthers offense is going to be one of the better offenses in the NFL. I like that offense as a whole and it starts with Sam Darnold.”