5 trades the Carolina Panthers might consider before 2022 season opener

Carolina Panthers should trade Sam Darnold

This is the obvious inclusion on the list for a player that would be addition by subtraction for the Carolina Panthers.

Despite what the team might say about a quarterback competition, it would be truly shocking if Baker Mayfield is not under center in Week 1 against his former team after impressing considerably during camp. He is the better quarterback and has put far more on tape than Sam Darnold during their brief careers.

At this point, Darnold isn’t anything other than a backup who serves as a reminder of Carolina’s terrible 2021 season and a high-profile trade with the New York Jets that didn’t pan out.

Moving Darnold allows Matt Corral or P.J. Walker to step into the backup role and let the offense fully embrace Mayfield.

It is difficult for an offense to be split between two quarterbacks and won’t be productive for Mayfield or Darnold. Even if Carolina has to eat the majority of his contract, it would be worth it to move off of the USC product.

While this would hinder their chances of bolstering other areas, Darnold is a problem the Panthers don’t need in 2022, even if finding a trade partner might be difficult.

Darnold had his chance last season and was a disaster, especially down the stretch. Simply put, it’s time for the Panthers to move forward with Mayfield, who gives them a superior chance of progressing in 2022.