5 Carolina Panthers players who need a change of scenery in 2022
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
It all started so well for Sam Darnold. The quarterback made a good impression in training camp and over his first three games under center for the Carolina Panthers, but the wheels came off pretty quickly after Christian McCaffrey went out through injury and the former USC star was unable to pick this team up and lead from the front.
Darnold’s erratic decision-making and an inability to process efficiently proved to be his undoing. Something that was a prominent feature during his torrid three years on the New York Jets.
The signal-caller is now working his way back to full health on the reserve/injured list. Although it would be a big surprise if Darnold saw the field at any point thanks to the Panthers bringing Cam Newton back into the fold.
He isn’t the long-term answer Carolina was hoping for. And if Newton also fails to prove his worth beyond this season, the Panthers have yet another huge problem on their hands at the most important position on the field.
Darnold needed to get out of New York. The bright lights were simply too much for him on a team constantly trying to find an identity.
Getting another opportunity might be asking too much.
Fortunately for Darnold, he has $18.85 million guaranteed coming his way next season regardless of where he’s playing after the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option. Another grave error by the organization that unfortunately complicates this situation further.