The Carolina Panthers have put fans through a whirlwind of emotions in 2021.
The changes at quarterback alone have been enough for several years worth of angst.
Sam Darnold opened the year as the starter before going down with an injury.
That injury allowed for the return of Cam Newton, only for him to get benched in favor of P.J. Walker several times.
It is now Week 17 and in a full circle move, Darnold is the starter once again.
Panthers’ HC Matt Rhule named Sam Darnold as the starting QB for Sunday’s game against the Saints.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2021
That has fans reacting in a variety of ways on social media.
Rhule: Sam Darnold is the starter for New Orleans #PanthersTwitter #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/QheOEEl3qe
— Des (@YoDesChill) December 29, 2021
Reactions To The Darnold News
This move is going to frustrate a lot of Panthers fans, but it does make sense.
The team already picked up Darnold’s fifth-year option and have him on a guaranteed deal for next season.
They may as well let him play at this point.
Sam Darnold starting…. Why they doing Cam like this. I’m just over the whole organization yet again. Definitely finding something else to watch Sunday. I’m pulling for the Saints. 🤷🏾♂️
— Pure Soul (@_Blk_Moses) December 29, 2021
Sam Darnold really gonna start? pic.twitter.com/HMkKb3YgME
— vontizzle 🍜 (@vonteneedadolla) December 29, 2021
Having Sam Darnold get the start and be exactly what we know he is >>>> Cam Newton getting the start and further tarnishing his legacy
— Winston (@ayeWinston) December 29, 2021
The Panthers have put themselves in this situation and only have themselves to blame.
Fans are blaming Matt Rhule and are only going to get angrier if Darnold has a terrible finish to the season.
That sets up a situation where there is no hope for success in 2022.
So #MattRhule saw how pissed everyone was at how we treated #CamNewton the first time they released him. So he decided to bring him back and treat him to an even worse sendoff the second time? Like, purely stomp on a majority of the fan bases favorite @Panthers ever?
— Amanda 🖤 (@cakhwat3) December 29, 2021
Until Matt Rhule gets fired i am not watching any Panthers games.
— Josh (@jmwright910) December 29, 2021
Matt Rhule might be the worst coach to ever coach in the nfl
— vontizzle 🍜 (@vonteneedadolla) December 29, 2021
Rhule was the one who got rid of Newton in the first place, only to bring him back this year in the middle of the season.
The veteran returned as a hero, only to be benched multiple times in the span of just over a month.
That may be for the best given how he has played in Rhule’s offense.
2021: #Panthers fans went from being eager to see Cam return to Charlotte as a starter with the #Patriots to seeing him benched for Sam Darnold to close out the season.
What a ride…
— Coachless (@PanthersCulture) December 29, 2021
For context Sam darnold has 2 TDs/8 ints in his last 6 games and hasnt scored a TD in four straight weeks https://t.co/QoVqgPaTaJ
— . (@GeauxPanthers) December 29, 2021
Panthers fans are rightfully upset with the way the season has gone.
Bottoming out in this fashion may be what it takes to get the change they desire heading into 2022.
If not, fans may lead a mutiny against ownership next season.
NEXT: Matt Rhule Compares The Panthers To Jay-Z