6 realistic starting QB options for the Carolina Panthers in 2022

Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy is a better starting quarterback than Sam Darnold. Despite the fact he has spent the majority of his career as a backup, it is easy to see who the better signal-caller is at this point in their respective careers.

McCoy came in when Kyler Murray was hurt and led the Arizona Cardinals to a key victory that would help offset the swoon that was to come. The former Texas Longhorn isn’t an elite player but if the Carolina Panthers want a capable starter for a year, then he would be a good option.

He could start for a season and give Carolina a capable quarterback to recover from Darnold. In 2023, McCoy and the USC product would both be off the salary cap and the Panthers could take a shot at a top signal-caller or be in a position to select someone like Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud.

McCoy isn’t going to be the fifth-best option on many teams’ quarterback scouting lists. But his value is in the results.

When the chips were on the table and the playoff chase was on, McCoy won a more important game than Darnold ever has. But just whether this is viable given the player’s age and relative lack of success throughout his career is the big question.

It would also be an extremely underwhelming acquisition from a fan standpoint. Especially if the Panthers let Cam Newton leave for a second time.