Despite his mini-resurgence this season, there are many reasons for the Carolina Panthers not to bring back quarterback Sam Darnold in 2023.
Now that the Carolina Panthers are embarking on a crucial 2023 offseason, many questions remain about which direction the franchise is heading. One of the biggest talking points surrounds the quarterback position and Sam Darnold’s future next season.
Darnold‘s prospects looked bleak last summer after Matt Corral and Baker Mayfield joined the ranks. His task to get back on the field looked especially concerning after a high ankle sprain during the preseason sent him to injured/reserve.
As it turned out, Darnold got another chance and demonstrated real improvements. It wasn’t enough for the Panthers to make a shocking postseason appearance, but his upturn in production gave him a fighting chance of salvaging his career, at the very least.
Much will depend on how a new coaching staff perceives Darnold’s ability. But here are four legitimate reasons why the Panthers should go in a different direction.
Reason No. 1
Sam Darnold has limitations
While Sam Darnold’s progress upon returning to the lineup was encouraging, he was incredibly well-insulated by the Carolina Panthers. Steve Wilks and Ben McAdoo implemented a run-first mentality behind a superb offensive line, which limited the former USC star’s mistakes and kept games out of his hands more often than not.
Darnold has limitations, there’s no getting away from that. Whether that puts the Panthers off from making him their bridge option or not is the big question.
Sam Darnold’s full body of work
As stated previously, Sam Darnold looked like a different guy for the most part in 2022. And it wasn’t all because of the beard.
Darnold looked confident, poised, and efficient. There were times when turnovers cost the Carolina Panthers -especially in their NFC South title showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – but this was a clear step in the right direction for the No. 3 overall selection in 2018.
That was encouraging and surprising in equal measure. But upon examining Darnold’s full body of work since entering the league, he cannot be counted on for consistent production in pressurized settings.
One could make an argument for the New York Jets mismanaging his early development. Things didn’t get much better in this regard under Matt Rhule in Carolina, who seemed incapable of nurturing talent thanks to suspect coaching methods that weren’t befitting an NFL franchise.
Darnold has a career completion percentage of 59.7 percent and has 61 touchdowns to 55 interceptions over his five years in the NFL. Therefore, one considers it highly unlikely that any new head coach would bet their short or long-term fortunes on the signal-caller despite his career taking a promising step forward in 2022.
Only time will tell, obviously, But there is enough film to suggest other avenues should be explored.
Sam Darnold might not be the best bridge option
Again, these reasons are nothing against the development Sam Darnold demonstrated in 2022. It’s also worth remembering he’s still just 25 years old, even if this doesn’t detract from an indifferent NFL career so far.
The Carolina Panthers might need a bridge option under center next season, which is why Darnold’s return cannot be ruled out entirely. Matt Corral is the only signal-caller under contract in 2023, but the organization doesn’t know for sure what it has in the Ole Miss product given he missed the entire campaign through injury.
One expects the Panthers to acquire a potential franchise quarterback early in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, they could be forced into a different way of thinking unless those in power trade up for someone like C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, or Will Levis.
Anthony Richardson remains a prospect of interest and should be around at No. 9 overall. But asking the Florida standout to immediately step in and make a difference is pushing things a little.
Even if the Panthers do draft a quarterback, another veteran is needed given Corral’s lack of experience. But there could be better bridge options than Darnold available via free agency or even through another trade.
Names like Jacoby Brissett, Jimmy Garoppolo, Ryan Tannehill, Tyler Huntley, Gardner Minshew, or even Taylor Heinicke could emerge as candidates. One could make a strong case for most being better alternatives to Darnold under a new regime.
Carolina Panthers have a chance to reset
With Matt Rhule fired, Christian McCaffrey traded, and the promise of a new coaching staff coming into the franchise, the Carolina Panthers won’t get a better opportunity to finally put a long-term plan in place at the quarterback position. Something that was severely lacking under the previous regime, which settled for veteran trades that blew up in their face.
Sam Darnold was arguably the worst considering what the Panthers sacrificed to secure his services from the New York Jets. Although he took a step forward in 2022, the bar couldn’t have been lower and something that might lead Carolina into a complete reset at the position.
A quarterback room consisting of Matt Corral, a veteran bridge, and a rookie from the college ranks is likely. Perhaps the Panthers will also get another body onto the roster for training camp in case injury strikes.
Darnold would maintain a sense of continuity if nothing else. But with plenty of player turnover also anticipated this offseason, it doesn’t appear to be that important in the grand scheme of things.
The gunslinger should get another opportunity elsewhere based on his performances in the backend of 2022. Darnold has a different outlook these days after being written off, but the best he can arguably hope for is a backup role or short-term berth under center while a younger player with more promise gets up to speed.
That might be in Carolina, but starting afresh and with a concise plan for progression is the preferred option.