Darnold has had seven offensive coordinators over seven seasons (two in 2021, Joe Brady and Jeff Nixon).
Now, is Vikings OC Wes Phillips a "QB whisperer", who can turn chicken-mess into chicken salad? All of Darnold's improvement came in 2024?
Or did the game come to Darnold over time? And in the meantime, he learned at least something from every coach he worked with?
It won't show in Carolina's Brady year stats (2021) ... but in 2022, Darnold's Yards per Attempt went up a whole two yards and his passer rating went up 21 points. His INT% dropped by 50%.
In Carolina's Joe Brady year, Darnold started off hot for four weeks, including spanking the Saints in week 2. His early 2021 stats looked like his solid 2022 stats -- 8-something yards per attempt (
which is very strong) and a passer rating in the mid-90s. Dallas racked up five sacks against Darnold in Wk 4 2021 and then the bottom fell out. Darnold's passer rating the rest of the 2021 season was in the mid-50s. He eventually went on IR with a scapula injury.
Excuse-making speculation: Cam Newton was still on the 2021 Panthers. Newton could've credibly been seen as a threat to Darnold's starting job. I wonder if Darnold hid an injury, maybe suffered against Dallas? His stats really took a nose dive after the Dallas game ... the difference is stark.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DarnSa00/gamelog/2021/