Sam Darnold
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Former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman argued on his podcast quarterback Sam Darnold will rebound after a poor Week 11.
Quarterback Sam Darnold experienced a very rough outing against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11. But Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and the rest of the team have voiced support for Darnold this week.
So has former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.
On the latest episode of his podcast this week, Sherman argued Darnold will rebound after his rough outing versus the Rams.
“Sam Darnold isn’t going to play that bad, I think, ever again. I think he’ll learn from these mistakes,” said Sherman.
“Sam Darnold has continued to thrive. He had a really rough outing, bad outing this week and will be criticized as such. He’ll take his share of the blame. He understands that. He’ll stand up to the podium and take responsibility for those interceptions.
“I think the Seattle Seahawks are still happy they have Sam Darnold at quarterback. I think they feel really good about this team. As they should.”
Darnold threw four interceptions against the Rams in Week 11. But before facing the Rams, Darnold had 17 touchdowns versus six interceptions while averaging 9.9 yards per pass.
Richard Sherman Attacks Vikings Fans
During a big bulk of the defense Sherman made for Darnold, the former All-Pro cornerback criticized Minnesota Vikings fans for gloating after the quarterback’s poor Week 11.
“I hear all this about, ‘Oh man, he played such a great season for us last year only to play terrible in the playoffs.’ You’re saying that as if you have improved in some respect,” Sherman said. “Now, you’re in a position where you won’t make the playoffs. I guess you won’t have to deal with the quarterback potentially not playing well in the playoffs because you won’t be there. So is that a better solution, Minnesota Vikings fans?
“Your team should have kept Sam Darnold. End of story. It would have been better for both sides.”
It was a bit odd Sherman raved about the Seahawks being happy to have Darnold but also claim it would have been better for him to re-sign with the Vikings. The cornerback’s overall message, though, was well taken.
One bad game, no matter how bad, doesn’t define a season.
Darnold Still Trying to Shake Bust Reputation
The 28-year-old quarterback was pretty sensational the two weeks prior to facing the Rams. Darnold didn’t have an incompletion in the first half against the Washington Commanders. He finished 21 of 24 for 330 passing yards with four touchdowns and an interception.
On November 9, Darnold wasn’t asked to do as much because the defense scored twice. But he was 10 of 12 with 178 passing yards with a touchdown and pick versus the Arizona Cardinals.
Fans quickly forgot about those performances, though, after he threw four interceptions against the Rams.
With pundits so quick to jump on Darnold when he plays poorly, it’s safe to say he’s still trying to shake his bust label from the New York Jets. No matter how well he plays, when he suffers a setback, some expect that to become his level of play again.
However, Darnold has played too well for pundits to assume he’s going to continue to struggle. Sherman clearly agrees.
The Rams have made a lot of quarterbacks look below average this season. But in Week 12, Darnold has a golden opportunity to rebound against the Tennessee Titans.