5 quarterbacks the Carolina Panthers should avoid in 2022
By Dean Jones
Which potential quarterbacks should the Carolina Panthers avoid this offseason if they opt to look for an upgrade on Sam Darnold in 2022?
After a season where Sam Darnold failed to meet the required standard, the Carolina Panthers could be on the lookout for their third starting quarterback in as many offseasons since Matt Rhule was appointed head coach. It’s been a comedy of errors from the primary decision-makers within the organization, with almost every gamble failing to materialize and unless things change, then the same pattern of results will emerge in 2022.
Darnold is under contract next season for a guaranteed $18.85 million after the Panthers triggered his fifth-year option without playing a snap. Another grave error in judgment that’s come back to haunt them.
Money isn’t readily available in Carolina this offseason. Couple this with the pressure on Rhule and getting their next move right at the most important position on the field is of critical importance.
There are plenty of options available. But here are five quarterbacks that the Panthers should avoid in 2022.
Quarterback No. 1
Carolina Panthers should avoid Desmond Ridder
After a sensational college campaign that saw the Cincinnati Bearcats reach the college football playoffs, Desmond Ridder’s draft stock is through the roof and might even come with a first-round selection when it’s all said and done. This would be a significant accomplishment from a signal-caller that was relatively unknown nationally before 2021, but his performance at the Senior Bowl left some reasons to suggest the Carolina Panthers should look in a different direction.
First of all, the Panthers need help right now. Another season of underachievement has the potential to see a complete momentum shift within the organization and selecting Ridder is not the best way to go about things.
Ridder is a work in progress who might have to sit behind a veteran for one or two seasons before staking his claim. This is time that the Panthers’ current regime simply doesn’t have.