Panthers OC Ben McAdoo: Sam Darnold 'does have some magic in his game'

While speaking at the league's annual meetings in late March, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule explained that he believes quarterback Sam Darnold will "play significantly better football" under former New York Giants head coach and newly hired Carolina offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. 

As noted by ESPN stats, Darnold finished the 2021 NFL season 29th among eligible quarterbacks with a 71.9 passer rating and a 33.2 total QBR. 

It is widely thought the Panthers will add someone to their quarterback room via either the upcoming draft or a trade, but Darnold is currently atop the depth chart at the sport's most important position. While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, McAdoo offered some high praise for the 2018 first-round draft pick. 

"Sam was one of the people that intrigued me for the job. Sam does have some magic in his game," McAdoo remarked, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. 

In recently updated mock drafts, four different CBS Sports analysts predicted Carolina will select a quarterback with the sixth pick in this year's draft. The Panthers were also recently linked with former Cleveland Browns starter Baker Mayfield, who lost his job when his employer landed Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans last month. 

Mayfield didn't report for the start of the Browns' voluntary offseason workouts on Tuesday morning.