4 Carolina Panthers players being grossly overpaid in 2022

Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB

• $18.85 million cap number in 2022

Trading for Sam Darnold was another big swing and a miss by the Carolina Panthers at the quarterback position. Those in power were banking on the former No. 3 overall selection finally fulfilling his promise in a different environment, which didn’t pan out despite a strong start to the campaign.

Darnold’s erratic decision-making and extremely suspect footwork once again became the catalyst behind his demise. Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have, but the Panthers triggering his fifth-year option with a fully guaranteed $18.85 million attached before they’d seen him in person is something they’d probably like to have back.

No longer can Darnold be treated like a rookie even though he is still just 25 years old. The fatal fundamental flaws within his game haven’t been rectified in any way and it’s not hard to see why Carolina has explored every possible avenue for an upgrade this offseason.

This is all out of Darnold’s hands.

But it must be comforting to know that he’ll still get paid either way.

Just what the future holds for Darnold if the Panthers do pull the trigger on Baker Mayfield is unclear. He has enough bad film to suggest a starting gig is unlikely elsewhere, but another organization could take him on as a backup and attempt to get some confidence back into his play.