Why a Darnold Resurgence is Unlikely - QB Busts

I'm pretty strongly in the "sit for a bit" camp. I don't think there's a hard fast rule of 1 season or more, but I do think there's something to be said for sitting him until he's ready, and I'm willing to sacrifice all of 2024 for that to happen, no matter how well or poorly Darnold plays. Hopefully Darnold plays well so the temptation isn't there to rush JJM.  I personally don't care how he does in camp or pre-season. If he's not ready, start Sam, even if he outperforms him.

Yes Mahomes and Love (I'm not sold on Love yet) or more accurately Rodgers to use a different Packers QB were completely different situations. It's why every QB should be looked at individually.  The position has a steep learning curve and a lot to learn, so getting some things done without the pressure of "winning now" certainly has merit, especially where certain mechanics need cleaning up and he needs to cement good habits. I think a lot of QBs would have developed better in that situation. I also trust all of the reports I read pre-draft that said JJM is going to need time to sit and learn. Perhaps he surprises, if so, GREAT. But I don't think that changes just because he got taken 10th. That's silly.  He got taken 10th because there was no chance he'd have been there at 23 or even 17. 

Does he need to play? Sure, eventually. He'll get some reps during pre-season when the games don't count which will be valuable learning experiences. He may get some occasional garbage time reps too during the season or maybe even a Sam injury spot start. I'm fine with that too. I hope at some point this year he's clearly ready but that the team is doing well enough that he's a great backup who is ready to take over in 2025.

the people that matter? The same people who thought so much of Love they kept Rodgers around too long and when they did finally move on they had to work out a "team" friendly extension vs just logically picking up his 5th year option? Those people? And now those people have seen enough to give him a top of the market deal after a half of season of decent football?

There's also this thing called 'some of us actually watch the tape'.

There's legit up to 6 of us here that do film evals. When Krauser and MidWinter are around. Uncle, Danchat and myself are notorious for watching tape and doing our own evaluations for both the Draft and Free Agency.

Sam Darnold has never been a great processor going back to his USC days. Frankly, it's hard to think of a current QB that is a great processor that isn't a Franchise QB. It's by far the hardest part of the game. And guys that were good at processing in college don't always translate it to the Pros, with Mac Jones being a case in point.

Cousins was a good processor, not great, with a predilection to take the checkdown when his primary read was covered. O'Connell worked with Kirk to keep him focused on his primary longer and to take more chances with the ball.

Darnold is closer to the opposite. Not Mulllens-esque because he has the arm strength to fire it into covered guys that Nick completely lacks. The key for Sam (besides protecting the ball) will be coming off of Jefferson when he's not open and quickly finding Addison and Hockenson once TJ is back.

Sam has never had this many guys who can truly get separation. That will help him significantly. But knowledge of the plays and making correct post-snap reads is the biggest key IMO.

Too funny. I notice you purposely failed to mention that Darnold has never won a game against Green Bay in his career.

I look forward to Darnold adding to his winless stat against Green Bay as well.

But, as I have said here a few times, I am actually hoping to see McCarthy trot out in week 4 at Lambeau. McCarthy will have a better chance at getting a W and keeping the game exciting.

Ok "bud"
You are the one pumping your chest about a game that Darnold lost.

And you also failed to mention that the Packers had just fired their head coach a couple weeks earlier, and still beat your precious little Sammy Darnold.

Study more before you even try to flex on the Packers. Too friggin' funny.

Now back to the actual topic at hand in this thread. The "bust" that is Sammy Darnold.