5 Panthers players who don’t deserve another season in 2022
By Dean Jones
P.J. Walker – Carolina Panthers QB
There were some groans of displeasure when the Carolina Panthers gave P.J. Walker a one-year extension when the 2021 campaign came to a conclusion. The quarterback had a good opportunity to make his presence felt thanks to Sam Darnold’s poor form and injury concerns, but the team bringing back Cam Newton was a damning indictment of what the coaching staff thought of the former XFL MVP candidate.
Walker has a previous association with Matt Rhule from their time together at Temple and the head coach is renowned for being more lenient with those he developed in college. That doesn’t mean the signal-caller is guaranteed a roster spot next season, so what comes next in terms of progression will be of critical importance.
Whether Walker can rid some decision-making errors from his game at this stage is unclear. But with two touchdowns to eight interceptions in Carolina over a two-year period, there are perhaps even better backup options out there for the Panthers to consider.
Just what Carolina is going to do at the most important position on the team is a mystery. One suspects they might go back for Houston Texans signal-caller Deshaun Watson if his legal matters conclude positively and they remain connected to Pittsburgh product Kenny Pickett at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Moving Sam Darnold will be tough in this scenario. However, their plans should not include Walker if they want to make any kind of splash next season.