4 quarterback trades the Panthers should avoid at all costs in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers should avoid Carson Wentz
Just one season removed from being traded to the Indianapolis Colts, Carson Wentz could be on the chopping block once again after a year of major underachievement behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. It wasn’t all bad where the quarterback was concerned, but erratic decision-making in critical moments proved to be his undoing and eventually cost his team a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season.
This is a monumental call for the Colts to make with plenty of salary-cap implications. But if those in power decide that they’d be better off without Wentz under center, don’t be surprised to see them pull the trigger on a potential trade or even release the signal-caller if they do not receive an appropriate amount of interest.
Wentz is another high-end draft pick gone wrong and would be a reclamation project for any team taking him on. The Carolina Panthers took a similar risk with Sam Darnold in 2021 with the same results, so gambling on the former No. 1 overall selection should not be contemplated no matter how desperate Matt Rhule is right now.
Most fans might not like it, but Darnold is under contract for $18.85 million next season after the Panthers triggered his fifth-year option before he’d gotten into the building. So rolling the dice with the USC product with better talent around him could be the smart call unless an elite talent becomes receptive to joining the organization.
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If it doesn’t work out, then Carolina would be in a strong position to take one of the better quarterback prospects next year. But as far as Wentz is concerned, this should be a non-starter.