4 pros and cons to the Carolina Panthers drafting a quarterback in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers can build around a rookie QB contract
General manager Scott Fitterer spent plenty of time during recent media availability talking about the importance of getting a rookie quarterback and building around a cheap contract. The salaries commanded by the elite signal-callers have been extortionate of late, with even the mid-level guys such as Kirk Cousins demanding fully guaranteed contracts that are north of $30 million per season.
Not exactly ideal when one considers how many holes the Carolina Panthers could have down the line. Triggering Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option with $18.85 million has only complicated matters in terms of approach this offseason.
If the Panthers drafted someone like Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, or Matt Corral, it would enable them to allocate significant resources elsewhere. One of these prospects won’t move the needle right away, but if they can become extremely productive from Year 2 onwards, it allows them to have a No. 1 option way below market value for three or four years before the time comes to extend them.
Samir Suleiman is a master cap manipulator and the Panthers have done a nice job of finding the right pieces in free agency while still boasting the league’s most available cap space. This is why another trade for a veteran cannot be dismissed, but this might also be a good time to draft a quarterback and strengthen other key areas.
Everything is on the table right now. But this could be a realistic avenue the Panthers do gown when it’s all said and done.