‘He messed up his development with the Jets’ – Panthers’ Robbie Anderson on QB Sam Darnold

Robbie Anderson, a wide receiver with the Carolina Panthers, attributes Sam Darnold’s difficulties in the NFL to the New York Jets.

 

When Darnold was selected by the New York Jets as the third overall choice in 2018, Anderson was the team’s top receiver. Anderson believes that the Jets could have had a better plan for their rookie quarterback at that time.

Early in the offseason, Anderson gained notoriety when he responded negatively on social media to stories tying Baker Mayfield to the Panthers. The majority of people saw it as a jab at Mayfield, but Anderson has maintained that he was merely trying to encourage Darnold.

Image Credits – SI

Anderson has once again been forced to defend his actions after Mayfield was dealt to Carolina. On the “I Am Athlete” podcast, where he also played with Darnold, he reaffirmed that he just feels awful for the quarterback. Anderson believes that Darnold’s faults may be attributed to the Jets.

“His development was all messed up coming into the league,” Anderson said on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast. “Look at Pat (Mahomes) and look at Lamar (Jackson); they didn’t play right away. I don’t feel like Sam should’ve played right away. I feel like being in the building was inappropriate after his career got off to the wrong start.”

In Darnold’s 13 starts as a rookie, Anderson and Darnold combined for 44 catches, 682 yards, and six touchdowns. The quarterback, who missed three games due to injury, had only 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions at the end of that season.

Darnold had a 13-25 record when starting for the Jets in his first three seasons there, completing only 59.8% of his throws for 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. The Panthers acquired Darnold in a trade last year, and they signed Anderson as a free agent in 2020. In their first year together in Carolina, the couple also had difficulties.

Jackson and Mahomes dominated the NFL, claiming the MVP award in just their second seasons. Mahomes, the 10th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, served as Alex Smith’s backup for one season before taking over and passing 5,097 yards and 50 touchdown passes in 2018.

Only in Week 11 of his rookie season did Jackson, the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 draft, take over as the starting for the Baltimore Ravens. The next year, he won the MVP award unanimously after leading the club to the playoffs.

 

 

More NFL news:

Follow our NFL page for more key NFL updates and news