4 things Scott Fitterer should know after one year as Panthers GM

Carolina Panthers must resolve their QB crisis

Whether it was Scott Fitterer that banged the table for Sam Darnold or not is irrelevant. He was one of the primary men within the Carolina Panthers that came to the conclusion giving up three draft picks to the New York Jets was a smart move that could transform the future of the franchise.

Judging by Darnold’s initial efforts in 2021, this was a major mistake. A situation made far worse by the Panthers’ triggering his fifth-year option without getting the opportunity to evaluate the signal-caller in person.

Now the Panthers are back to square one. This constant revolving door under center is not helping anybody in the slightest and the sooner Carolina comes up with a solid, long-term solution that everyone can get behind, the better their chances will be.

There will obviously be some pressure from team owner David Tepper to land a big fish. But with little cap space or draft capital, this isn’t exactly the most enticing of teams for someone like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson if they are traded.

Fitterer knows that this will shape the landscape of the organization in the coming weeks. Finding a trade partner for Darnold will be difficult thanks to his fully guaranteed $18.85 million contract and with the free-agent pool all coming with question marks, the Panthers are left with either gambling on a draft pick or risking it all for an elite veteran.