Sam Darnold is back as the starting quarterback, which is the right call for the Carolina Panthers to make given the difficult circumstances.
The quarterback merry-go-round continued for the Carolina Panthers this week when interim head coach Steve Wilks named Sam Darnold as the team’s starter for their upcoming Week 12 game against the Denver Broncos. Something that wasn’t entirely unexpected given Baker Mayfield‘s struggles at the Baltimore Ravens.
This carousel is a damning indictment of how things have gone for the Panthers since their controversial decision to release Cam Newton in 2020. It’s been one failed move after another, something which led to Matt Rhule’s firing and the organization constantly underachieving despite having a strong young core at other key positions.
Darnold’s trade is probably the worst move of the bunch. But the former USC standout will now get one final opportunity to prove he can capably lead an NFL franchise at the expense of his fellow top-three 2018 draft selection.
It’s a controversial issue, for sure. However, here are three reasons why the Panthers starting Darnold is the right call to make in Week 12.
Reason No. 1
Sam Darnold could improve behind better Carolina Panthers OL
The production of Sam Darnold since entering the NFL leaves a lot to be desired. It’s been a series of missed opportunities and suspect decision-making, which didn’t get any better following his trade from the New York Jets in 2021.
Darnold started well but faded quickly last season. But this will undoubtedly be the best offensive line he’s ever had the benefit of working behind over his five-year career.
Whether Darnold can capitalize on this alongside a strong running game against a decent Denver Broncos defense remains to be seen. The Carolina Panthers are playing for very little other than pride right now, so it won’t hurt to find out one way or another.
Carolina Panthers cannot depend on Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield came into the Carolina Panthers with renewed hope that things could finally start trending in the right direction. The quarterback led his previous employers to their first playoff victory since 1994 just two seasons ago and even though the regression was evident in 2021, many put the blame on the torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder more than anything else.
It wasn’t an easy situation for Mayfield. Fingers should rightfully be pointed at Matt Rhule’s handling of the quarterback position in training camp and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s suspect play-calling, but the former Oklahoma star’s performance levels haven’t been good enough when it’s all said and done.
His disappointing outing at the Baltimore Ravens might have been the final straw. Mayfield will once again occupy a backup role and if Sam Darnold seizes the moment – which is debatable – then the Heisman Trophy winner will likely ride the bench for Carolina’s remaining fixtures.
At the end of the day, the Panthers and interim head coach Steve Wilks just couldn’t depend on Mayfield. If he’d done enough to convince the coaching staff even moderately that he was capable of moving the chains and putting up points, the Panthers wouldn’t be in this mess, to begin with.
There is also the potential of giving up a high-end fourth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns if Mayfield plays more than 70 percent of snaps. Although that looks almost impossible now after he missed so much time through injury.
Darnold’s own performances after a strong start in 2021 don’t leave many reasons for encouragement. Carolina has come full circle and is back to square one, but thankfully for fans, there isn’t long left before this situation gets completely resolved next spring.
It couldn’t get much worse for the Carolina Panthers
After some dismal quarterback production in 2022 aside from some fleeting moments courtesy of P.J. Walker, the Carolina Panthers are at rock bottom. Sam Darnold becoming the starter once again was seemingly impossible before the campaign, but how much worse could it get in the grand scheme of things?
Sure, Darnold hasn’t reached anywhere near the heights anticipated when the New York Jets took him at No. 3 overall in 2018. His arm strength is impressive, but there remain severe footwork and decision-making issues that the player simply hasn’t improved effectively enough and if this trend continues in Week 12, then it will be cataclysmic for his career prospects beyond the current campaign.
The chances of Darnold getting an extension from the Panthers are almost non-existent. So this represents a solid opportunity for the signal-caller to put himself in the shop window for any interested party when the free-agent frenzy begins in 2023.
If Darnold cannot improve the Panthers’ offense, so what?
They aren’t making the playoffs and look set for a top-three draft selection barring a drastic turnaround. This puts them in a position to bring someone like Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud into the fold and finally formulate a long-term plan for sustained success under center.
Darnold starting again was something most fans hoped would never arrive. But after so much mediocrity or worse in recent years, the bar is remarkably low and it wouldn’t take much for the player to improve on what’s transpired throughout 2022.