Just over one week from the start of the draft, the Panthers remain one of the teams most connected with selecting a quarterback. When speaking to the media yesterday, though, new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo stated (at least temporarily) that the team already has its No. 1 signal-caller. 
[RELATED: Latest On Panthers’ Draft Plans]
As noted by ESPN’s David Newton, McAdoo was quick to affirm Sam Darnold‘s status as the team’s starter, including his presence as a factor in taking his new role. Moments later, however, he clarified that “the way it is in the building right now, Sam is our starting quarterback”. The Panthers currently only have Darnold and P.J. Walker on the roster, but should have their pick of this year’s class with the sixth-overall selection.
Knowing that, McAdoo quickly added, “announcing the starting quarterback here I just put my foot in my mouth. That wasn’t something I should have said.” Carolina represents one of the most intriguing and important teams in next week’s draft, given their position on the board and dual need for an offensive tackle and (at least in the eyes of many) a quarterback with a higher ceiling than Darnold.
In his first season after being traded by the Jets, the 24-year-old completed less than 60% of his passes and threw more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (nine). Not surprisingly, then, the Panthers have done extensive work on the draft’s top QBs, leading many to expect them to select either Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis with their top pick. Failing that, they could be involved in the remaining trade market; they were recently reported to have the inside track to acquire Baker Mayfield, for instance.
This time of year, of course, is rife with public statements being overvalued or misinterpreted. Still, McAdoo’s remarks add even more intrigue to the team’s ultimate draft decision, which will have a sizeable domino effect on not only the Panthers but the rest of the QB board.
Ben McAdoo talking to the media about Sam Darnold is like a worst of MetLife Stadium compilation.
A phrase that sounds like something cooked up by the barely-breathing NYC tabloids.
Mayfield is an upgrade right? Certainly wouldn’t cost much, and if they wait until he is cut no way he picks Carolina.
An upgrade for sure. It’s possible he’d pick them, since there’s a clear path to start and some strong weapons. Carolina might need to trade a 2023 pick, since they have nothing between 6 and 137 this year
Mayfield would give Carolina its best chance, but the more I consider it, the more I don’t think that it’s right for him on his end. There is a coach who seems to be checked out, a starting receiver who seems the same, a coordinator that hasn’t called plays in years, and no offensive line. Their best-and perhaps only, outside of D.J. Moore-playmaker is an injury concern, especially with that line. There is no clear team identity. All of this is being overseen by an impatient and I’ll-tempered owner who is already dealing with his pulling the plug on his South Carolina headquarters construction.
I don’t think that Carolina will be a good destination to build a career on for sometime, at least until a good new coach is hired. A question for me is whether Tepper decides to go for experience after firing Rhule and falls in love with the idea of Pete Carroll coming to follow Fitterer to Carolina. I would hope not, but in any case, a new regime seems to be coming sooner rather than later.
I don’t disagree with any of that (other than finding the Carroll idea far fetched). I don’t think it’s a GOOD destination, and I think Rhule is out after this year, but I don’t see a better place for Mayfield to rebuild his value for one year.
If Seattle is truly out, Carolina is his last option this year. I do agree that the Carroll idea is farfetched. I also think that Tepper wouldn’t say no if Carroll is indeed fired after this year and Rhule is gone. Fitterer’s presence would enhance that, but even without him, Carroll instantly would be the most experienced coach available if fired. After handing out a ridiculous contract to a rookie head coach, I wouldn’t be shocked if Tepper went in another direction, and went big.
Again, I think it’s farfetched, but I wouldn’t necessarily shocked if it happened. I may be shocked if Pete accepts, given the state of the team. And I think that it’d be the wrong move, personally.
He’s also three years away from the record for oldest coach ever. Hard to see a team viewing him as a path forward.
Definitely. It likely comes down to who has more power inside the organization, Rhule or Fitterer. Going into a win or be fired season, Rhule’s main priority will be to win now. Mayfield is his best hope to save his job.
If Fitterer has control, he may not see Baker as a long term option who they can compete for a SB with, which Rhule wouldn’t care about. If he likes a rookie QB, he may prefer going that route since he can afford to let the rookie learn and develop in year 1, and lose some games Mayfield may win.
I think Mayfield is paying the price for playing injured last year. It is as if people forget no only was the QB who finally helped the Browns get into the playoffs, they won a game. I think if the coach held him out instead of letting a competitive guy play then things would have been better.
Agreed. And hey, some of that’s on Baker. But I’d rather give him a shot than some of what else is out there.
Don’t forget he was missing McCaffrey most of the season and that his protection was lacking. It was a similar situation for him with the Jets. I don’t think it’d be a smart move to go for a QB at #6 when a top offensive lineman should be available. Ironically, the second rounder they traded to the Jets might have been the spot where they could’ve kept Sam Howell in state.
Yeah, the line situation was and is brutal, but at the same time, Darnold just hasn’t shown enough. Have any QBs shown this little over four years and turned out to be anything?
And boy oh boy is the lack of picks brutal. Not even adding insult to injury. Just adding injury to injury.
Darnold is the worst thing an NFL quarterback can be – inconsistent. At times he looks like an NFL quarterback and then he goes and throws a pick that makes you wonder WTF… Interestingly, this was EXACTLY the book on him prior to the draft.