CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule has insisted since the beginning of training camp that quarterback Sam Darnold doesn’t have to focus on being a leader, only on “playing quarterback.’’
In other words, Rhule wants Darnold to focus on getting the ball into the hands of his playmakers and not try to do too much, as he often did with the New York Jets the past three seasons.
Mission accomplished in Friday night’s preseason finale, a 34-9 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Granted, Darnold worked against Pittsburgh’s second- and third-stringers in the first half before giving way to backup P.