5 QBs the Panthers could sign to compete with Sam Darnold in 2022
By Dean Jones
Which quarterbacks could the Carolina Panthers sign to potentially compete with Sam Darnold for the starting job in 2022?
It seems as if Sam Darnold will still be on the Carolina Panthers in 2022 unless those in power can somehow convince another team to take on his fully guaranteed $18.85 million contract in some capacity. The quarterback endured a torrid first campaign overall following his trade from the New York Jets, which saw some clear issues resurface and if the signal-caller cannot rectify these in the coming months, then his NFL future is going to look incredibly bleak.
Picking up Darnold’s fifth-year option leaves the Panthers in a hole. They might decide to select a talented young prospect from the college ranks that could be a starter one day, but with money tight and the offensive line needing significant reinforcements, going this direction could complicate matters elsewhere.
Matt Rhule hung his hat on Darnold turning things around. A gamble that hasn’t paid off yet and it could end up being a decision that sets Carolina back years when it’s all said and done.
There is another possibility worth considering. With this in mind, here are five quarterbacks the Panthers could sign to compete with Darnold in 2022.
Quarterback No. 1
Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers QB
Although the chances of Cam Newton re-signing with the Carolina Panthers are remote, he could represent an upgrade on the USC product with a full offseason to acclimatize that he simply wasn’t afforded before his bombshell return prior to the team’s Week 10 win at the Arizona Cardinals.
Newton has the support of most fans even though he might not be the force of old. The former NFL MVP did provide a brief spark, but it was clear almost no signal-caller could produce the goods in front of such dismal protection.
The same applies to Sam Darnold, obviously. But there is a bigger sample size to suggest he’s never going to be the long-term answer in Carolina and extending Newton could be a shrewd move providing there is mutual interest.