4 factors that make Carolina Panthers 2023 offseason the most important
By Ricky Raines
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper’s credentials are at stake
We already know about Matt Rhule. No sense in beating a dead horse in a smock. That was an obvious first blunder by David Tepper.
The next moves that come to the forefront are the handling of Cam Newton’s departure and the acquisition of Sam Darnold. I think this is the opening reveal when attempting to see Tepper’s mission with the Carolina Panthers.
He is a businessman, he is not a North Carolina native, and he doesn’t want old ties preventing new opportunities. Newton unfortunately was not the same player that Panthers fans will remember so fondly from 2015. Darnold was just three years removed from being the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, being selected over the likes of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
I’m not implying that Darnold was in the realm of Allen or Jackson. Nor am I implying that Newton was treated professionally and fairly. Not me.
I’m only stating that, despite contradicting video evidence provided by the young signal caller himself, Darnold was still deemed to be a possible franchise quarterback worthy of the steep draft capital that Carolina agreed to relinquish in return for his services – at least, by one or two football professionals.
That’s not to hammer away on Darnold. He has been thrust into the chaos along with the rest of us.
That’s exactly what it’s been – chaotic situation after situation. Rhule, Darnold, Baker Mayfield, the Rock Hill facility that never was, and turf being installed at Bank of America Stadium just to name a few.
Carolina’s ownership and front office personnel must come together and figure out how to learn from mistakes. And then simply stop making so many of them, so consistently.
Once the original Tepper misfire regarding Rhule was resolved after Week 5, it set off a natural chain reaction throughout the team and Darnold looked like a serviceable bridge option for periods of play while fighting for a seat at the postseason table.
This is where it all comes to a head and the decision-making process demands calculated, sincere, and correct outcomes immediately. There’s no more room for error with Tepper’s ownership credentials on the line this offseason.