Is Bearded Sam Darnold Different?

If you take a look around Panthers Twitter, you’ll see Carolina fans talking about Sam Darnold, but not like they were last season. Many think something is different about the five-year veteran, and it’s all due to the ginger beard he has sported since returning from injured reserve.

After training camp, Sam Darnold introspectively asked himself: “how did he win the starting job from me – what makes him different?”

Then Sam Darnold went and bought some beard oil.

It took some months, but the rest is history.

We’re living in the Bearded Sam Era. 🧔‍♂️

— Panthers Culture (@PanthersCulture) December 5, 2022

Sam Darnold – no

But with Bearded Darnold, sky is the limit. https://t.co/srIdqKvdM7

— The 4 Man Rush (@4ourmanrush) December 6, 2022

“No, same guy,” Sam said with a laugh when I asked him if bearded Darnold is different. “I may look a little different, but – same guy. I’m obviously going to keep it as long as we keep winning games.”

The streets are saying bearded Darnold is different, so I asked him if that’s true.

Also looks like he will keep the beard as long as the team is winning… pic.twitter.com/l851hXjwFd

— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) December 7, 2022

One game does not a legend make, but there is a different feel to bearded Darnold. There’s an easiness about him and a seemingly more relaxed nature than before. The question is, will that continue to translate on the field? Time will tell, but if it does, expect the legend of bearded Darnold to only grow larger.