4 potential trade destinations for Sam Darnold in 2022
By Dean Jones
Cincinnati Bengals
As stated previously, the chances of Sam Darnold walking into another team and becoming the undisputed starter are now over. The Carolina Panthers gave the quarterback the benefit of the doubt when they acquired him from the New York Jets, but the same problems remained and it’s highly unlikely someone else takes the same sort of risk.
Perhaps being a backup might be the best thing for Darnold. Taking him out of the firing line and allowing the signal-caller to build back confidence piece-by-piece is the only way he’s going to salvage his career at this juncture.
If the Panthers agree to take on most of his salary to make a move possible, then it might see a franchise part ways with a low-end draft pick to improve their backup option.
Somewhere like the Cincinnati Bengals might work.
They have one of the league’s brightest young quarterbacks in Joe Burrow. But only Brandon Allen is behind the former No. 1 overall selection if he falls to injury at any stage.
The Bengals also have some promising young weapons on offense led by stud wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and running back Joe Mixon. There wouldn’t be any pressure on Darnold to provide immediate production, all a team like Cincinnati would ask is that he’s ready to step in at a moment’s notice if the worst happened to Burrow.