With seemingly every avenue being pursued, what realistic options could the Carolina Panthers go with as their starting quarterback in 2022?
The Carolina Panthers have had quite an offseason from debating whether or not Matt Rhule’s tenure would end to seeing Ben McAdoo brought in to lead the offense. The coaching drama was soon put to the side, however, when the organization entered the race for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Whether or not that was the right decision is highly debatable. What isn’t is that yet again Carolina failed to find the answer to the position and is still left with questions.
While they are in prime position to draft a quarterback, there is reason to wonder whether drafting a signal-caller inside the top-10 is the right move. Especially considering how hot things are getting for Rhule.
If the season started today, Sam Darnold would be taking snaps for the Panthers. Simply put, that isn’t an option.
There is no questioning Darnold isn’t the answer and is not a player that the Carolina faithful want to watch next season. The quarterback market has moved quickly and if the Panthers don’t make a decision soon it will be made for them.
Division rivals have already made their moves with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers luring Tom Brady out of retirement, with the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints settling for veteran options after missing out on Watson.
Carolina must make a decision and all options should be on the table considering Darnold is still their current answer. Here are four realistic options to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2022.
Carolina Panthers could draft Malik Willis
There is a very good chance that Malik Willis is going to be on the board when the Carolina Panthers are on the clock at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Liberty product is a great fit for the offense and would bring excitement back to the team’s long-suffering fanbase.
Despite it being a very thin quarterback class, there are plenty of reasons to suggest Willis is a franchise quarterback if put in the right situation.
Willis has athleticism that jumps off the screen when you watch the season he had with Liberty. The one concern is the slight regression he suffered towards the end of the season. It appeared to be due to the amount of punishment the prospect had taken and not his skill set or decision-making that was causing the slight downtick.
Still, it is noteworthy and something Carolina would have to work on considering the offensive line issues they have dealt with. Although that could be much improved next time around based on their free-agent signings.
Part of what makes Willis great is his willingness to take and deliver hits and never give up on a play. This mentality isn’t always going to work at the next level and should be the one concern Carolina has.
Despite these concerns, Willis will be drafted in the first round because of his arm and what he can do outside of the pocket. Drafting the quarterback is a move that Panthers fans would love and a decision that would tie Matt Rhule’s fate to one player next season.
Carolina Panthers could re-sign Cam Newton
There is no excusing the level of play that Cam Newton displayed in his return to the Carolina Panthers. He passed the ball poorly and turned it over with alarming regularity, so there is nothing the former NFL MVP put on tape that would indicate encouragement.
What does energize the Carolina fanbase is Newton himself. He remains beloved and will always be one of the greatest Panthers due to his accomplishments and what the iconic figure brought to the team on and off the field.
Bringing Newton back would give the Auburn product a full offseason to learn the offense and set him up for success. The way Carolina called plays when the veteran returned was questionable at best, they put too much on him far too quickly and he was unable to ever turn the season around.
Bringing a quarterback in mid-season and asking him to learn an offense on the fly isn’t going to result in a good situation. Newton was set up for failure in 2021 and is better than the tape he put together.
Giving Newton a shot won’t mean Carolina doesn’t explore other options. But bringing in a fan favorite would be a win at this point.
If the Panthers sign Newton, they need to still explore the possibility of selecting a rookie quarterback. At worst, the veteran can be a great bridge option and role model for an incoming college recruit looking to follow in his footsteps.
Carolina Panthers could draft Kenny Pickett
The Carolina Panthers are one of the few remaining teams looking to upgrade at the quarterback position. With speculation linking them to Baker Mayfield quashed by the organization, one of the few remaining options is to gamble on a signal-caller during the 2022 NFL Draft.
If this is an avenue that the Panthers do end up going down, then Kenny Pickett might be the guy. Carolina took eight coaches and front office personnel to his pro day on Monday and left suitably impressed, with general manager Scott Fitterer even calling the prospect over to grip a football and get a better look at his hand size.
Pickett is a polished performer who has done his chances of being taken in the top-10 no harm at all during the evaluation process. He’s clearly building on an exceptional 2021 campaign at Pittsburgh and if Carolina wants a more immediate impact player at the position, then it’s highly likely this will be the selection.
Matt Rhule got a commitment from Pickett during his time at Temple before the player changed his mind. He has the arm talent and can make things happen on the move, so an instant starting job in Carolina is not out of the question by any stretch.
Only time will tell, obviously. But Pickett appears to be the leader in the clubhouse right now despite Malik Willis wowing at his own pro day this week.
Carolina Panthers could trade for Jimmy Garoppolo
A potential trade for Jimmy Garoppolo is going to happen at some point this offseason. The question is what type of return will the San Francisco 49ers get?
Considering Matt Ryan just went to the Indianapolis Colts for a third-round pick, it isn’t unthinkable that Garoppolo could be shifted for a fourth or fifth-rounder if the Niners get desperate enough.
Trey Lance is their future and Garoppolo is a limited quarterback who is going to make a key mistake come playoff time. At this point for the Carolina Panthers, however, there isn’t a signal-caller on the market who is going to come without flaws.
We know Garoppolo is going to make mistakes in the playoffs. But we also know he is good enough to get your team there.
That alone is enough of an upgrade for the Panthers to consider trading for Garoppolo if the price is right. While he may not be able to beat Tom Brady to the divisional title, he gives Carolina a great chance against Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.
Carolina is in a weak division and a weaker conference. Matt Rhule needs to prove to the owner and the fanbase he can turn things around and getting Garoppolo would put the Panthers in wildcard contention in a weak NFC.