Panthers' Anderson blames Jets for Darnold's struggles: 'It wasn't right'

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson blames the New York Jets for quarterback Sam Darnold's struggles in the NFL.

Anderson, who was New York's leading receiver when Darnold joined the team as the third overall pick in 2018, thinks the Jets should've come up with a better strategy for their rookie passer at the time.

"His development was all messed up coming into the league," Anderson said on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast. "Look at Pat (Mahomes) and look at Lamar (Jackson); they didn't play right away. I don't feel like Sam should've played right away.

"After his career got jump-started the wrong way, I feel like, being in the building, it wasn't right."

Anderson and Darnold combined for 44 receptions, 682 yards, and six touchdowns in Darnold's 13 starts as a rookie. The signal-caller, who missed three games due to injury, finished that campaign with only 17 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.

In three seasons with the Jets, Darnold posted a 13-25 record as a starter while completing only 59.8% of his passes for 45 touchdowns to 39 interceptions. The Panthers, who signed Anderson as a free agent in 2020, traded for Darnold last year. The pair also struggled in their first year together in Carolina.

Mahomes and Jackson took the NFL by storm, with both winning the MVP award in their second year in the league. Mahomes, whom the Kansas City Chiefs drafted 10th overall in 2017, spent one season as Alex Smith's backup before taking over and tossing 5,097 yards and 50 TDs in 2018.

Jackson, the 32nd overall selection in the 2018 draft, became the Baltimore Ravens' starter only in Week 11 of his rookie campaign. He guided the team to the playoffs that year and claimed the MVP award unanimously the following season.

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