It appears that Ben McAdoo still has some work to do when it comes to talking to the media.
The former New York Giants head coach is now the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers, and on Tuesday at organized team activities he was asked about whether or not Sam Darnold was indeed the starting quarterback.
McAdoo answered without hesitation: “Sam is our starting quarterback, yes.”
While Darnold and P.J. Walker are the only quarterbacks currently under contract with the Panthers, the team has been linked to quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft, as well as Baker Mayfield in trade rumors.
So, a short while later, McAdoo realized he may have made a mistake by confidently declaring Darnold the starter.
“One of the things I’ve been working on is being better talking to you people [in the media], so announcing the starting quarterback here, I just put my foot in my mouth,” he said. “That wasn’t something I should have said.”
The 44-year-old coordinator has been working his way back up the coaching ranks since he was fired by the Giants during the 2017 season that was notoriously chaotic for Big Blue and defined by the head coach’s decision to shockingly bench Eli Manning for Geno Smith.
Prior to becoming head coach, McAdoo helped guide Manning to his two best statistical seasons while offensive coordinator of the Giants.
If Darnold is indeed the starter, he will be tasked with trying to revive the career of the former Jets quarterback.
“Sam does have some magic in his game,” McAdoo said, per ESPN. “He’s got some athleticism to him. I’m excited to work with Sam. We’ve been working the last few days up here to get up to speed on offense, and he’s shown flashes of being a good player in this league.”
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