4 critical observations from the Panthers win vs. Broncos in Week 12

Carolina Panthers may not have NFL’s worst QB situation

One look at the field in Week 12 tells you one thing. While the quarterback situation with the Carolina Panthers may be bad, it’s much worse in Denver.

Sam Darnold easily outperformed his counterpart, Russell Wilson, on the way to another morale-boosting win that further enhances Steve Wilks‘ claims to win the head coaching position permanently.

At no point in this encounter did Wilson look comfortable in the pocket. Something that has been a hallmark of his time with the Broncos since the blockbuster trade that brought the former Wisconsin signal-caller from the Seattle Seahawks.

And while the Panthers’ situation under center is precarious, all three quarterbacks currently on the active roster are not under contract in 2023. For the Broncos, Wilson recently signed a bumper five-year, $245 million extension locking him up until 2028.

While the general perception is Carolina will use a high selection in the 2023 NFL Draft to select a franchise quarterback, the Broncos are unable to do the same as they sent two first-rounders to Seattle in the deal to acquire Wilson. Something that is currently blowing up in their face.

What comes next for the Panthers under center is uncertain. If they continue winning games, then it’ll almost certainly put them out of contention to elect Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, so the net must be cast far wider.