There are multiple rumors surrounding the Carolina Panthers and their ongoing search for quarterback improvements, but which way will they go?
Another week, another busy few days that will ultimately come with speculation aplenty about the Carolina Panthers and the quarterback position. Sam Darnold‘s lack of consistency following his trade from the New York Jets left the organization no choice other than to look at alternative options after head coach Matt Rhule got a reprieve – with no luck coming from their pursuits so far.
The Panthers struck out in their quest for Deshaun Watson and their interest in Russell Wilson was quickly shot down by the player. They clearly weren’t keen on a free agent and the concerns surrounding this year’s draft class under center are well documented – not exactly ideal for a team needing help right away.
Drafting a quarterback hasn’t been ruled out entirely. Carolina has left no stone unturned regarding the top prospects entering the league this year, with most spending additional time at Bank of America Stadium last week to further state their respective claims.
However, the last few days have seen trade talk heat up once again. Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield are the two candidates, with both potentially welcoming the opportunity to start elsewhere next season.
Carolina has the salary-cap space to take on their contracts. But they’ll probably ask for either the San Francisco 49ers or Cleveland Browns to shoulder some financial commitment in exchange for draft capital.
Carolina Panthers must find a QB that can settle into the starting role quickly
Some fans may not like it. Especially as Darnold remains on the books for $18.85 million fully guaranteed after the Panthers inexplicably picked up his fifth-year option.
But this represents the best chance for an immediate turnaround.
Everything else is seemingly in place providing the Panthers acquire a stud left tackle and a productive edge rusher from the draft or what remains on the free-agent market. General manager Scott Fitterer has also stated the importance of having everything in place for Carolina to drop in a quarterback and take off earlier this offseason.
This would allow the Panthers to select someone like Charles Cross, Ikem Ekwonu, or Evan Neal depending on which ones are available. If Mayfield or Garoppolo is nothing more than short-term options, then target a signal-caller from what’s expected to be a much deeper 2023 draft class and also remove a significant amount of money from the salary cap with Darnold’s contract also set to expire next year.
Welcoming another quarterback considered by most to be mediocre would be a hard sell. Especially after what’s gone on over the last two years since Rhule took the decision to release Cam Newton and sign Teddy Bridgewater.
There is plenty of smoke and mirrors being injected into the media across the league right now. The Panthers won’t want to show their hand too early, which would obviously restrict them from keeping every available option open during or shortly after the draft.
To say their upcoming move at quarterback is franchise-altering would be an understatement. Another false move will likely come with grave consequences for many and this only increases the fascination about which final conclusion Carolina makes.
The smart money says the team will trade for either Garoppolo or Mayfield rather than risk it all for a rookie. But it would take a brave man to bet on this as a virtual guarantee.