Bussin' With The Boys – Sam Darnold Opens Up About the Jets, Panthers, & Cam Newton

Podcast: Bussin’ With The Boys
Episode Title: Best of the Bus: Sam Darnold Opens Up About Jets, Panthers, & What It's Like Playing With Cam Newton
Original Date: February 7, 2026
Hosts: Taylor Lewan & Will Compton (Will not present for this episode)
Guest: Sam Darnold (NFL Quarterback)

Episode Overview

This episode features NFL quarterback Sam Darnold in a candid, wide-ranging interview with Taylor Lewan. The discussion traverses Sam’s journey from his early athletic roots and college days at USC to the turbulence of his time with the New York Jets, his transition to the Carolina Panthers, and the dynamic of sharing a locker room with Cam Newton. The conversation is authentic, insight-laden, and peppered with playful jabs, revealing Sam’s mindset, approach to criticism, and resilience in the face of professional adversity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life, Multi-Sport Talent & Athletic Roots

• Basketball as First Love:
  • Sam recounts growing up as a Lakers fan, idolizing Kobe Bryant, and initially loving basketball more than football.
    • “I would say basketball is probably my first love. Watching Kobe growing up – the man.” – Sam Darnold [06:41]
  • Played football, basketball, and baseball through childhood, only focusing on football seriously by junior year of high school.
• USC Recruitment & Athlete Journey:
  • Started high school as a linebacker and receiver. Coaches’ recognition of his athleticism led to a late transition to quarterback.
  • Sam was lightly recruited, with his first scholarship offer coming "almost by surprise" from Utah after only two games at QB, highlighting how under-the-radar he was early on.
    • Story gives an inside look at how many paths to college and pro ball are unorthodox and filled with uncertainty.

The Recruiting Process & Love for USC

• Dreaming of USC:
  • USC was always his dream school. Despite offers from schools like Duke and Northwestern (which tempted him for their coaching legacies), the Trojans’ late offer was a no-brainer.
    • “Once I made the pros and cons list… for SC, the pros were there and there were no cons.” – Sam Darnold [18:45]
• Commitment and Loyalty:
  • Turned down interest from Jim Harbaugh at Michigan after already committing to USC.
    • “I made a commitment to go to SC. I appreciate you reaching out, but…” – [16:09]

College Career at USC: Competition & Mindset

• Redshirt Year & Steady Rise:
  • Chose to enjoy his senior year, prom, and high school sports before heading to college. Redshirted behind Cody Kessler and then entered a quarterback competition with Max Browne.
  • Details the awkwardness of competing against friends while maintaining professionalism.
    • “We were boys… hanging out, then all of a sudden it’s like, alright, I guess that’s over.” – Sam Darnold [31:31]
• Handling Disappointment:
  • Was disappointed when told he wouldn’t start, but handled it maturely:
    • “Coach said, ‘we gotta do what’s best for the team’… Do I disagree? Yes, obviously. But that wasn’t for me to say. I just took it.” – [29:18]

2018 NFL Draft & Quarterback Landscape

• Jet Setting: NYC Challenges
  • Drafted 3rd overall by the Jets. Experienced coaching turnover with Todd Bowles' firing, the arrival of Adam Gase, and then new management–leading to instability.
  • Addresses the infamous “seeing ghosts” game against the Patriots, owning the moment and its lasting meme status:
    • “That was the worst game by far I’ve ever played in my life. I own up to it.” – Sam Darnold [39:12]
• Media and Market Pressure:
  • On NYC: the turbulence, scrutiny, and passionate fans, likening them to Philly Eagles supporters in intensity.
• Draft Class Reflections:
  • Contrasts his approach with the more outspoken Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen, emphasizing his preference for quiet resilience over media drama.

Moving to the Panthers & Playing With Cam Newton

• Trade Experience & Letting Go

  • Describes learning of his trade from agent and then Jets GM, and his immediate, pragmatic mindset:
    • “At the end of the day, it’s not my call. If they don’t think I’m the guy… it is what it is.” – [62:01]

• Adapting to Carolina

  • Transitioned quickly: flew to Carolina, met players and staff, started on learning a new system.
  • On living in California and renovations/time away from football.

• Injury, Cam Newton’s Return & QB Room Atmosphere

  • When injured midseason, Cam Newton rejoined the Panthers:
    • “Cam is the best... Great guy to have in the QB room, great guy to have around. His energy is unmatched.” – [67:33]
  • Describes Cam as a leader with genuine charisma, who’s “just a normal dude” day-to-day but knows how to rally a team.

Mental Health, Modern NFL, & Social Media

• Mental Health in the NFL
  • Mentions starting meditation and working with someone for mindset, and notes how the landscape’s changed thanks to social media and increased openness.
    • “You have such more of a – you’re just a fly on the wall in anyone’s life now.” – [42:55]
  • Respects Dak Prescott for being candid about mental struggles, making mental health talk “great for the NFL.”
• Coping with Criticism
  • Acknowledges difficulties of being a QB: “Franchise lives and dies with the quarterback.”
  • Frames pressure as part of the job, especially considering the money and responsibility attached.

Handling Uncertainty & Perspective

• Trade Rumors & Team Uncertainty
  • Outlines how he handled rumors about the Panthers potentially drafting a QB:
    • “It truly is – whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, it’s out of my control… I know I’m a good quarterback.” – [74:18]
  • Stresses importance of having a grounded support system from friends and family.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Recruitment:
  “I didn’t really know what a scholarship offer was until I got offered my first one.”
  – Sam Darnold [12:07]

• On QB Competitions:
  “The weirdest part… we had the same friend group, and then all of a sudden we’re in a competition together. It was like, alright, I guess that’s over.”
  – Sam Darnold [31:31]

• On the ‘Seeing Ghosts’ Meme:
  “That was the worst game by far I’ve ever played in my life. I own up to it.”
  – Sam Darnold [39:12]

  “In the quarterback room, we’d say some guys are ‘seeing ghosts out there’—I just said that to my coach at the time… I was pissed and didn’t know what to say. And they got it on live TV.”
  – Sam Darnold [38:23]

• On Cam Newton:
  “He’s just a natural born leader. Just the things I’ve learned from him… so much respect. He’s a great dude.”
  – Sam Darnold [69:40]

• On Fans & Criticism:
  “It’s fun to have those conversations… they’re critiquing what we should do. The part that pisses me off is when people judge how I’m playing. Then I’m like, hey bud, go strap it up. You can talk all the shit you want, I’m not gonna do anything about it, but take it easy.”
  – Sam Darnold [59:21]

• Lock Room Talk/Story:
  After winning the Rose Bowl, Sam and friends DM’d Snoop Dogg (a famous USC supporter) hoping to celebrate, but got no reply.

  • “To this day, years later: no response.”
    – Sam Darnold [79:56]

Timestamps of Major Segments

• Charmin Ad w/ Sam cameo: [02:44]
• Basketball roots, Kobe influence: [06:38]
• First college offer (Utah), discovering the process: [12:14]
• USC dream & recruitment: [16:08] – [18:54]
• QB competition at USC, disappointment: [29:18]
• On friendship, competition & handling being benched: [31:04]
• NFL Draft class, contrasting styles: [32:24]
• On defining Jets moments, ‘seeing ghosts’: [38:14] – [39:00]
• Social media, quarterback pressure: [40:31]
• Mental health in NFL: [42:05] – [44:11]
• Trade from Jets to Panthers, handling uncertainty: [61:27] – [66:10]
• Life in Carolina, Cam Newton experience: [67:13] – [69:40]
• Handling QB rumors, draft nerves: [70:29] – [74:45]
• Locker room talk, Snoop Dogg story: [77:50] – [80:37]

Tier Talk: Sam’s Top 5 USC Quarterbacks

1. Carson Palmer
   • “He won a Heisman at SC, national championship. Handled his career professionally. A baller…” – [51:44]
2. Matt Leinart
3. Mark Sanchez
4. Matt Barkley
5. Rodney Peete
   (Sam humbly excludes himself.)

Tone & Atmosphere

The interview is casual, lively, and honest, with ample humor and candid revelations. Taylor and Sam display great rapport, with Taylor pushing for deeper answers while respecting boundaries. Sam’s humility, clarity, and understated confidence shine through. The show maintains its “locker room” vibe, balancing substance with laid-back laughs.

For Listeners Who Missed Out

This episode is an exceptional look inside the mindset and journey of a young NFL QB who’s weathered both hype and hardship. From homespun stories and hilarious DM tales to deep dives on quarterback pressure, leadership, and locker room dynamics, Sam gives listeners an authentic and open account of being the face of a franchise—wins, memes, slumps, and all.

Bussin’ With The Boys stands out for its ability to peel back layers, and this episode with Sam Darnold delivers on all fronts—insight, real talk, and laughs for both hardcore and casual fans.