What options do the Carolina Panthers have with Sam Darnold after the quarterback’s mini-resurgence in 2022?
The Carolina Panthers have a number of tough decisions to make in free agency this offseason. None is more important than the quarterback position.
With Baker Mayfield released and Sam Darnold set to become a free agent, Carolina will have to decide if he has any future on the team. P.J. Walker will be a restricted free agent as well, leaving zero quarterbacks with NFL experience on their roster.
Darnold finished the season with a 4-2 record, throwing for 1,143 passing yards and a 7-3 touchdown to interception ratio. This was the best version of the signal-caller we’ve seen over a five-year NFL career and gave those in power a reason to wonder if he could return next season.
The former USC star will hit free agency as one of the less sought-after options in his position. Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Teddy Bridgewater might be preferred based on their track records, with the prospect of Ryan Tannehill and Derek Carr’s early releases something else working against him.
Carolina will have plenty of time to chase certain possibilities at the position and make a thoughtful conclusion on whether Darnold is an option moving forward. Here are four potential outcomes that could emerge between the Panthers and the resurgent signal-caller in the near future.
Carolina Panthers let Sam Darnold leave in free agency
Considering how the past two years have gone and Sam Darnold’s history, this is clearly the best move for the Carolina Panthers. The quarterback was great down the stretch, but a terrible final game against the New Orleans Saints and key turnovers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what was essentially a playoff game remind fans why they can’t count on him.
Darnold has all of the talent needed to play the quarterback position. However, his decision-making and poor ball security consistently cost Carolina over the last two seasons.
The Panthers need to move on. Whether that means taking a big swing in the draft or finding their next quarterback in the trade or free-agent market remains to be seen.
Darnold might be good enough in what looks to be an awful NFC South in 2023 to compete for the division. But what good is making the playoffs if you don’t have a quarterback capable of pushing you past the next round?
Keeping Darnold represents waving the white flag in the playoffs. With a new coaching staff coming into the fold, Carolina cannot afford to sit in mediocrity and move forward with a signal-caller that consistently comes up short when the lights are brightest.
That might sound harsh given Darnold’s improved production under center. But there is no room for sentiment when building an NFL roster capable of challenging.
Carolina Panthers could start Sam Darnold in 2023
Sam Darnold had to win his way back into the starting lineup this season, going 4-2 in his six starts and clearly outplaying Baker Mayfield and P.J. Walker. The quarterback didn’t have the job security he enjoyed in previous seasons, so this extra sense of urgency brought out the best in him.
Darnold was under even more pressure and in many ways lived up to it. Especially when one considers what was accomplished compared to the other quarterbacks Carolina put in the lineup.
Why would Carolina consider bringing Darnold back? The answer is very simple.
Who are they going to bring in that is any better?
While moving on from Darnold and attempting to swing big is clearly the best move, it comes with some serious risks attached. But this is dependent on how a new head coach perceives his talent levels.
If the Panthers swing and miss as they did last offseason at the quarterback position, they could be stuck in an even worse predicament. Darnold does offer a level of stability, even if it comes with turnovers and a clear ceiling.
Carolina doesn’t have to look far to consider what could happen with the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their own division both in terrible quarterback situations. Keeping Darnold isn’t the right move for the Panthers, but it is the safe one.
Carolina Panthers let Sam Darnold compete
Sam Darnold was never going to win the starting job at the start of last season’s camp. The competition with Baker Mayfield was always going to end with the No. 1 overall selection in 2018 winning the job after his high-profile trade from the Cleveland Browns.
Mayfield played his way out of the Carolina Panthers entirely. This also gave Darnold a window to return from injury and take over.
Darnold is not going to be a coveted player this offseason with clearly superior quarterbacks hitting both the trade and free-agent markets. Therefore, Carolina can likely bring him back with little competition.
The easiest way for the Panthers to cover all of their bases is to re-sign Darnold and allow him the chance to compete with Matt Corral and any new arrival. Unless Carolina lands Sean Payton or suddenly becomes a top destination, the likelihood of them landing a star signal-caller outside the draft is very slim.
Carolina can protect itself by bringing Darnold back without any promises. Outside of landing with a terrible team, the former first-round pick is facing the prospect of a backup job elsewhere, so the Panthers could provide more hope than that depending on how they approach this important decision.
Carolina Panthers make Sam Darnold a backup
This is the second-best option the Carolina Panthers have behind letting Sam Darnold simply leave in free agency. The fifth-year pro is one of the best backup options in the league and would be familiar with the players if an injury happened to befall whoever takes over the No. 1 spot.
Carolina’s best move is to start completely over at the position. Moving on from three years of Baker Mayfield, Teddy Bridgewater, P.J. Walker, and Sam Darnold swinging big to find a franchise quarterback they have lacked since Cam Newton’s injuries caught up with the former NFL MVP.
With Darnold under center, the Panthers are predictable and boring, giving fans few reasons to be excited. These are the exact traits you look for in a backup quarterback.
A veteran who can come in and run the system adequately without making waves or bringing a quarterback controversy with him. If Darnold is willing, then becoming an understudy and mentor despite being 25 years old himself is a viable option that could work for both parties.
Darnold should be brought back only as a last resort or as Carolina’s backup. But when push comes to shove, the quarterback’s time as an undisputed starter with the Panthers should be at an end.