CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Protection was a major issue for new Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold during his three seasons with the New York Jets. He was sacked 98 times in 38 games, which contributed greatly to poor decisions and a Total QBR of 44.0, which ranked 35th out of 36 qualified players in that span.
Protection was the name of the game for Darnold on Thursday, as offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan talked for the first time about the player acquired two months ago in a trade.
As in don’t say anything negative.