CHARLOTTE — There's an easy temptation to make this week about something bigger than it appears. And it might be.
But as he's done so often since he's been here, quarterback Sam Darnold said everything he could to keep the focus on the immediate.
After Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said that Darnold would start Sunday against the Saints, Darnold said he tried not to put any more weight on it. He's the only quarterback on the roster for 2022 at the moment, so it's easy to see it as an audition.
"I'm really focused on this week, to be completely honest with you," Darnold said Wednesday. "I'm focused on New Orleans and focusing on what we can do to win this ball game on Sunday.
"If I look past this game at all, I would be doing this team and myself a disservice by looking too far in the future. I don't want to do that. I want to put my best football forward for this team so that we can go out and win this Sunday. If I go out and start to worry about what these next couple of games mean and what the implications are for next year, that does nothing for me on Sunday."
Toward that end, Rhule mentioned how well Darnold had played in the first game against the Saints this season, noting that the Week 2 performance was "probably his best game of the season."
"So it's a good opportunity for him to see, here's what I looked like then, I've gone through a lot of growth, a lot of ups and downs, where am I at right now," Rhule said.
Darnold threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns with an interception that day against the Saints, and it was part of a solid first month of the season, when he played efficiently and competently.
"I want to see him play the way he did in the first ball game," Rhule said. "He played in progression. Threw the ball on time. Was aggressive with his throws, but didn't have the catastrophic mistakes. When he got in the game this past week, obviously made the one explosive play (a 63-yard completion to Shi Smith).
"I'd like to see him be aggressive but not have the catastrophic mistake, the 'Hey let me turn and throw the ball up in the air and see if something good happens.' We want to play a smart football game."
In the second month of the season, things did not go quite so well for Darnold. That coincided with running back Christian McCaffrey's first absence, and some of the protection issues which have been endemic this season. That stretch of games between the Week 5 loss to the Eagles (which included three picks) and the disastrous three-interception game against the Patriots was rough, and he took the blame for it.
Which is reasonable, because he did not play well. In the first four games, Darnold had a 67.8 completion percentage and a 95.4 passer rating. In his next five, he completed 48.8 percent of his passes and had a 46.6 passer rating.
"Nah, I mean, at the end of the day, those games I didn't play good enough football to win," Darnold said. "That was my biggest takeaway. So yeah, there's nothing really else to say besides me not playing good enough."
Of course, putting Darnold in the game means taking Cam Newton out of it, and both Rhule and Darnold praised the work Newton has done since he's been here, and his professionalism.
Darnold didn't know Newton before he arrived in November, but has been impressed with what he's seen since.
"Cam's a great guy, ultimate competitor, ultimate professional," Darnold said. "The way that he works, I've learned so much from him since he's come on and been with us this year. He's the ultimate professional, ultimate competitor, but more than anything, he's just a great dude. . . .
"But again, something I learned from being around (while injured), and experiencing Cam and the way he led and the way he went about preparing to get ready for Sunday. Mentally, physically, emotionally, he's one of the best I've ever seen. I think I learned a lot from him as well."
Rhule said Newton was preparing to play, but didn't make any firm declarations the way he had in the past, when he went into weeks intending to play two quarterbacks. All their planning is complicated by the fact that third quarterback P.J. Walker was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.
Rhule described it as "tenuous across the board," with so many players moving on and off the list, so plans are hard to make.
The Panthers trail the all-time series against the Saints, 27-29. Carolina has played New Orleans more than any other team in its history.
Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) keeps his eyes on New Orleans Saint quarterback Drew Brees at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers' Rod Smart (32) runs past cheering teammates for a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 5, 2003. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Curtis Samuel (10) evades New Orleans Saints Marcus Williams at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
New Orleans Saints defenders Roman Harper (41) and Jason David (42) try to defend Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. Smith caught the long pass to keep the Panthers' game-winning drive alive as they defeated the Saints 33-31. (AP Photo/Chris Martinez)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees (9) looks to pass as Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints during the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles as New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant (94) pursues during the second half of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints kicker Olindo Mare right, tries to grab the ball as Steve Weatherford (7) scrambles with Carolina Panthers Richard Marshall after the kick was blocked in the second half of their football game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) gets by New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas on his way to a 15-yard, third-quarter touchdown during an NFL football game in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Paul Rutherford)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, bottom, lies on the field after being sacked by Carolina Panthers defender Richard Marshall (31) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Mark Fields (58) celebrates sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks (2), center, on ground (partially obscured), at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. The Panthers defeated the Saints, 10-6. On ground at right is Saints' Spencer Folau.(AP Photo/Doug Keese)
Carolina Panthers' Ken Lucas, left, intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints' Marques Colston, right, during the third quarter of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore (3) scrambles during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay, center, is surrounded by his teammates after his field goal as time expired in an NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The celebration begins as Carolina Panthers' Todd Sauerbrun (10) John Kasay (4) and Kris Mangum (86) enjoy their 23-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Kasay kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime. Leave the field for the Saints is Jay Bellamy (20). Holding for Kasay was punter Todd Souerbrun (10). (AP Photo/Andrew Cohoon)
New Orleans Saints defenders Johnathan Sullivan, left, and Brian Young (66) pursue Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) during the first half of an NFL football game at LSU's Tiger Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
