Sam Darnold’s return to MetLife Stadium didn’t exactly go as he would’ve liked.
With the Panthers trailing the Giants 15-3 early in the fourth quarter, Carolina head coach Matt Rhule benched Darnold and put P.J. Walker in at quarterback for the rest of their 25-3 loss to the Giants.
Darnold was 16-for-25 with just 111 yards, no touchdowns and an interception when he took a seat. Walker didn’t fare much better, going 3-for-14 with 33 yards.
Rhule told reporters after the game that Darnold will start next week against the Falcons and going forward. The coach also doesn’t anticipate the team pursuing a quarterback before the Nov. 2 NFL trade deadline.
However, The Athletic reports the Panthers will be involved in the Deshaun Watson trade talks. The Houston Chronicle reported last week that the Texans were closing in on a Watson trade with the Dolphins.
Sunday marked Darnold’s first game at MetLife since he was traded by the Jets during the offseason. Darnold and the Panthers beat the Jets in Charlotte in Week 1.