Panthers to start Sam Darnold in Week 14 vs. Seahawks

For the first time in quite a few weeks, Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks finally had the postgame answer everyone was looking for.

Following his team’s dominant 23-10 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Wilks confirmed his starting quarterback for the next outing. And that, with a smooth Week 12 performance, is Sam Darnold.

“I can tell throughout this process, he has been so locked in and focused—particularly last week when he was up and dressed,” he said of Darnold’s preparation. “His attention to detail and the questions he was asking, even during practice. And then locked in during the game.”

He locked in for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns—one through the air and one on the ground—against the Broncos. Perhaps most importantly, Darnold didn’t sink the Panthers offense—connecting on 11 of his 19 attempts and committing zero turnovers.

As stated by Wilks in closing out his presser, Darnold will get his second start of the season when they travel to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14.