Who are some potential quarterback candidates that the Carolina Panthers could target to replace Sam Darnold in 2022?
Things went from bad to worse for Sam Darnold this week. Just two days removed from another disappointing performance at home to the New England Patriots, the quarterback discovered that he’s set for a considerable spell on the sidelines with a partially fractured scapula to further heighten his misery.
The Carolina Panthers will now move forward with P.J. Walker in the hope he can make the most out of this starting opportunity. Depending on how the former Temple star performs, we might have seen the last of Darnold under center.
This is not what the Panthers hoped when they sacrificed three draft picks to acquire Darnold from the New York Jets. Another failed experiment at the most important position on the field that’s set the team back considerably.
Even if Walker doesn’t work out, here are eight potential replacements for Darnold in 2022.
Player No. 1
Malik Willis
If the Panthers decide to start over and build from the bottom up, then selecting a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft would be the smart way to go. Depending on where the team is drafting, Liberty’s talented young prospect Malik Willis might be a viable option.
Willis has the arm strength to shine at the next level, albeit not right away. The signal-caller also has a knack for making plays out of nothing, which is another thing that won’t go unnoticed by NFL scouts.
This wouldn’t be a Day 1 problem-solver. But the Panthers have Sam Darnold locked in for his fifth-year option in any case, so there is a high likelihood he’ll still be around in some capacity.