4 major hurdles the Carolina Panthers must overcome in 2022
By Preston Seyl
Carolina Panthers QB situation
The quarterback carousel since Matt Rhule’s arrival has been very frustrating for the fans and severely hindered the Carolina Panthers. Baker Mayfield is the newest arrival after Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold both failed to become long-term options.
The NFL is a quarterback-centric league.
Teams only go as far as their man under center takes them.
For two years Rhule has failed to find a franchise quarterback. Mayfield should be the best option the Panthers have had for three years following his trade from the Cleveland Browns. He has a year to prove himself as the answer unless the Oklahoma product wants to test free agency and pick where he wants to go.
The quarterback situation has been a major contributor to Carolina’s 10-23 record over two years. Bridgewater couldn’t find a way to win at the end of games along with very inconsistent play cost the Panthers during many contest-ending drives.
Darnold turned the ball over way too much last year, putting the defense in a bind with a short field due to interceptions and suspect decision-making. There was also a clear inability to push the ball downfield that made the Panthers easy to gameplan for.
For the Panthers to succeed, Mayfield needs to be consistent and not follow the same recipe from the past two years.