Sam Darnold will start for Panthers against Broncos on Sunday

One of the NFL’s worst offenses is making a change this week; the Carolina Panthers are turning over the reigns to quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold’s team will host the Denver Broncos, who are the NFL’s worst offense by points per game. But Carolina’s passing game has been worse than the Broncos by most metrics, and the former USC Trojan, taken third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, is hoping to change things. He will be the fourth quarterback to take the field this year and the third to start a game for Carolina.

PJ Walker, who has started five games this season, is dealing with a high ankle sprain, while Baker Mayfield, who has started six games, led the team to just three points this past Sunday. Mayfield threw two picks late and is now the backup for Darnold.

Darnold was the Panthers starter for 11 games last season, throwing for 2,527 yards on 243-of-406 passing with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He helped the team start 2-0, but they would lose seven of their next eight Darnold games.

Darnold is 1-1 against the Broncos, with both of those games happening while he was still a Jet. Darnold was traded for a few draft picks ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft after three seasons in New York with a 13-25 record. Darnold’s first appearance of 2022 may come against a lousy offense and team, but Denver’s defense is still one of the best in the NFL.

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