Panthers QBs coach Sean Ryan gives insight into Sam Darnold’s growth

Perhaps it’s a bit dismissive to call someone a project, but that’s what the Carolina Panthers were buying into when they traded for quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason. And so far, their work is coming along rather well, at least according to Sean Ryan.

The team’s quarterbacks coach spoke with media following Thursday’s practice and noted a handful of important advancements Darnold has already made. One of those areas of growth has been his footwork.

“I think his footwork. I think his footwork in the pocket,” Ryan said when asked of a particular improvement in the starter’s game since he arrived. “I think there’s less movement. I don’t think he moves as much when he doesn’t have to. For me, that’s a big deal.”

Often times during his three-year tenure with the New York Jets, Darnold appeared a bit jumpy in the pocket. Those “happy feet,” as Ryan explains, can and did lead to some turnovers.

“Footwork relates to it in a progression-style passing game. When your feet are on time and you’re in rhythm, you can make quick decisions and you’re comfortable with doing it. Versus ‘Hey, my feet are moving. I’m not ready to throw when I should be ready to throw. Now, my timing is off and I’m doing things with the football that I shouldn’t be doing in normal progressions.’”

We did see some of that evolution in Darnold’s game manifest itself last Friday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 24-year-old, again, started off slightly scattered, but quickly reeled in his footwork and showed an early mastery of Joe Brady’s offense to close out the performance.

Hopefully for the Panthers, Darnold stays grounded and doesn’t see any of those ghosts go resurrected when the team hosts his old Jets in Week 1 on Sept. 12.