4 reasons the Carolina Panthers might struggle in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers go with the wrong QB (again)
Another season, another quarterback conundrum for the Carolina Panthers.
Sam Darnold‘s time under center in 2021 following his trade from the New York Jets was a disaster. The Panthers also struck out on almost every major target this offseason in pursuit of an upgrade, even if they did manage to get their hands on Matt Corral at No. 94 overall in the draft.
Carolina has the cap space to make another splash in the trade market should they wish. But even someone like Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield might not move the needle.
Whether it’s Darnold, Corral, or someone else, another false move at the most important position on the field is going to come with grave consequences.
This has been a familiar tale for the Panthers ever since Rhule took the decision to sign Teddy Bridgewater and release Cam Newton in 2020. It’s holding the team back considerably and opposing teams will know all too well just how precarious their situation is heading into the new campaign.
Of course, having Christian McCaffrey back and an improved offensive line is encouraging. But if the Panthers don’t nail their quarterback choice, another bleak season of abject failure could follow.