— As much as Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold seemed to embrace the New York City spotlight that turned Joe Namath into “Broadway Joe,” the spotlight can take its toll when you’re not succeeding.
He went 13-25 as a starter for the New York Jets after being selected with the third pick in the 2018 draft.
Several former Carolina quarterbacks who are familiar with going from a large market to a smaller one — New York is the largest market in the country, Charlotte ranks 22nd — believe the change will be good for Darnold.
“The fans at Carolina are passionate and they love football,” Peete said.
“Sam’s a very old-school, old-soul kind of guy,” Ortiz said.
One thing’s for sure: Darnold is comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Honestly, it reminds me of home,” Darnold said.
While Darnold wasn’t a hermit in New York, he knew the paparazzi were lurking.
When Darnold missed three games in 2019 with mononucleosis, it was all over the tabloids that the quarterback got the “kissing disease” from a random woman who showed up at a game wearing a No.
“When I was the backup, I was actually third string when Cody Kessler was the starter at USC,” Darnold said at the 2018 combine.
“If ever they were against me, it was the 2009 season,” said Delhomme, who threw 18 interceptions and only eight touchdowns two years after leading the Panthers to a 12-4 record and six years after taking them to the Super Bowl.
It reminded him of draft night when Darnold was backstage with him, a few high school buddies, his parents and long-time quarterback coach Jordan Palmer.
“The more Cam was in the community, the more people respected him,” said Derek Anderson, Newton’s backup from 2011-17.
Darnold still doesn’t know the Carolina offense — which Robby Anderson insists is much easier to grasp than New York’s — well enough to consistently win.
The weapons, more than the market, are why Peete and other former Carolina quarterbacks believe Darnold has a chance to succeed.