Panthers QB Sam Darnold braced for another uncertain offseason

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold is braced for yet another uncertain offseason after failing to meet expectations in 2021.

After a season where Sam Darnold once again flattered to deceive, the Carolina Panthers are now on the hunt for their third starting quarterback in as many offseasons. Not exactly the most productive way to build a winning organization, but it’s the situation they find themselves in nonetheless.

Darnold got a supreme amount of confidence from the Panthers when they gave up three draft picks to the New York Jets to land the player and also triggered his fifth-year option that comes with a guaranteed $18.85 million. Whether it was arrogance from this regime regarding the trade is a moot point, the simple fact is they are now stuck between a rock and a hard place regarding a player that hasn’t proven capable of becoming a productive NFL starter.

Despite general manager Scott Fitterer’s claims that Darnold would still be on the team next season, Carolina’s actions state a different story. The Panthers are clearly being aggressive in pursuit of finding a potential upgrade at the most important position on the field and are well within their right to do so.

Speculation remains surrounding a bold bid for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson providing his legal matters resolve in a satisfactory fashion. There is also growing momentum that Carolina might end up taking someone like Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Either way, Darnold’s days appear numbered. And the former No. 3 overall selection is now bracing himself for even more uncertainty during the offseason.

In an ideal world, Darnold would have worked out and the Panthers could spend the coming months building around the USC product. But that isn’t the case and considering what’s at stake for Matt Rhule in 2022, gambling on the signal-caller to finally rid some critical flaws from his game might end up costing the head coach his job.

Sam Darnold is facing a second-straight offseason of uncertainty

Darnold admitted he was stung when the Jets drafted Zach Wilson and shipped him out after three seasons. However, this experience should make him better prepared for what comes next this time around.

Plus, he’s going to get paid either way.

So this is definitely more Carolina’s problem than his.

Just where Darnold’s career is going to go from here is the big question. Finding a trade partner might be difficult unless they eat a huge chunk of the player’s salary, something the Panthers had to do last year when they decided to trade Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round selection.

If they can do this, then the chances of Darnold becoming the undisputed starter anywhere is remote. His production doesn’t justify such a distinction and it’s going to be a long road back for the player based on what we’ve seen so far.

Darnold hasn’t been good enough, it’s that simple really. The doubts that surrounded him coming out of college haven’t got any better over his first four years in the league and unless there is a drastic turnaround, he’ll go down as one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory.

As for the Panthers, they have to get their next decision under center absolutely spot on. There is no middle ground here – either Rhule and his staff figure things out or a complete reset could be coming in 2023.