Connected to Deshaun Watson and Matthew Stafford this offseason, the Panthers moved to Sam Darnold. They sent three draft choices (two in 2022) for the former Jets top-five draftee, who is on track to replace Teddy Bridgewater next season.
But the Panthers, whose quest to land a franchise quarterback was no secret this offseason, also considered making the kind of move the 49ers did. Carolina held internal discussions about vaulting up the draft board for a quarterback, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. However, the franchise that entered the 2020 offseason in rebuilding mode deemed the price to do so too extreme for its present situation.
[RELATED: Panthers Give Bridgewater Permission To Seek Trade]
It cost the 49ers their No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-rounder and 2022 and 2023 firsts to climb up nine spots to No. 3. The Panthers, who resumed Darnold talks with the Jets in Columbus while there for Justin Fields‘ first pro day, do not boast the roster talent the 49ers do at this point. Dealing away two future first-rounders for this draft’s second- or third-best quarterback, though the Jets are not believed to have received a firm offer for No. 2, would cost the Panthers chances at adding long-term starters. That said, Carolina did offer its No. 8 pick, Bridgewater and a fifth-rounder for Stafford in January.
With legal issues ensnaring Watson, his top would-be suitor will have Darnold under contract for two more seasons — on a rookie salary in 2021 and an fifth-year option price ($18.9MM) in 2022 — unless the sides agree to an extension. Darnold’s presence should not take the Panthers out of the running for Watson down the road, and Breer notes they should be expected to draft a quarterback at No. 8 — should one they like fall that far. Mac Jones and, to a lesser degree, Trey Lance have been the passers connected to the 49ers at 3. Lance and Fields seemingly have the best chance of falling to the eighth spot.
The Panthers did not want to part with their second- or third-round picks in this year’s draft for Darnold, Breer notes, so they and the Jets settled on a package that included a 2022 second-rounder as the centerpiece. The Panthers were offering their 2021 fifth-rounder, the same one they dangled as a Stafford throw-in, but swapped that out for a 2022 fourth to sweeten their offer to the Jets. The sixth-rounder Carolina gave up this year was a compensatory pick, the lowest of the team’s three 2021 sixths.
I really wish the Jets could’ve gotten that offer for the #2 pick. That would’ve been better for the Jets than trading away Darnold. I’ll gladly eat my words if Zach Wilson becomes a superstar but the Jets haven’t had relative success with their early round (1st or 2nd) QB picks since Chad Pennington. Mark Sanchez’s early success was more due to the strength of the team than his own.
I can’t help but think that Fields will be the choice for Carolina, but the Darnold trade should have bought them a year or to pick a new QB. It seems silly to make that trade and then take a QB this year-if you do, you’ve essentially spent four picks (three this year) on two quarterbacks. It would be one thing if a generational talent fell to you in the draft, but they just wanted a starter for a year, they should have stuck with Bridgewater.
I know Tepper wants a QB solution and is willing to spend to get it; the NFL, however, is not a place where you have unlimited assets to spend. You can’t just dip into your coffers to outspend everyone else. There’s a limited cap. There are limited draft picks. You have to be efficient with your resources. Spending all that on Darnold and then picking a QB at eight while still considering a Watson trade is just not efficient, especially when you just signed then chucked a mostly capable bridge starter this past year. if Darnold doesn’t start at least two years in Carolina, Tepper wasted his ammunition for no return. He’s better off trying for a great QB next year, if he wants to, and at least get some return out of the Darnold trade.
BBC
Fields will be gone at 3. Sorry to burst your bubble
I’m not advocating them drafting Fields. I’m not advocating them drafting any quarterback at all that high, after spending those picks on Darnold. It doesn’t matter if Fields is taken at 3 or not (I don’t believe he will, but I don’t know if he’ll be on the board when Carolina picks), I think it’s a waste of picks to trade for Darnold and then pick someone who will replace him in a year, because spending a top fifteen pick on a QB and sitting him for three years (which what they should get out of Darnold ideally at minimum) would be a waste of a high first round pick too.
That’s actually a solid take and I agree. I’m just an advocate for the 49ers drafting Fields (because I’m a fan) and I think that’s who their pick will end up being. Shanahan keeps his cards close to his chest and there was a report that came out about a week ago that said he hasn’t even shared his evaluations of this years QB class with his assistant’s. I have a hard time believing that he, John Lynch and the 49ers top brass would trade away all those picks for Diet Jimmy G just to resent the QB cap.
Would love to see Will Grier get a shot…
Tepper ran his mouth he wanted a QB then overpaid for a “ never been”. They aren’t winning anything very soon.