Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
Although Sam Darnold has done little to suggest he can be the long-term option under center, the Carolina Panthers are stuck between a rock and a hard place regarding the quarterback. Picking up his fifth-year option following his trade from the New York Jets wasn’t the best idea in hindsight, which makes life difficult moving the USC product and on the hook for $18.85 million in guaranteed money for good measure.
Darnold was playing behind a pathetic offensive line and regressed as expected once Christian McCaffrey went down through injury. However, the processing issues and lack of footwork efficiency stood out like a sore thumb once again despite quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan working intensely on eradicating these key complications from his game during the offseason.
It was interesting to see Matt Rhule throw Darnold right back in as the team’s starter once healthy. This wasn’t the greatest surprise but disappointing nonetheless considering Cam Newton was the man being replaced.
The Panthers might go big game hunting or look at a future signal-caller in the draft. But there is also a very real chance Darnold is the starter when competitive action rolls around once again.
To say Darnold would be in the last chance saloon is the biggest understatement imaginable. Rhule has placed a significant amount of confidence in the player and if he cannot rectify some clear flaws, then both might be removed from the equation.