Without a long-term quarterback plan since injuries began to keep Cam Newton off the field, the Panthers have attempted to land big fish at the position for a bit. But they have been unable to do so, leaving the team with a major question at the game’s premier position in a rather important year for Matt Rhule.
Carolina made serious efforts to trade for Matthew Stafford, offering a first-round pick and change, and Deshaun Watson, whom the team was linked to for over a year. Neither panned out, with the Rams swooping in late for a player who has since become a Super Bowl-winning QB. Although the Falcons were believed to be the second-place finishers for Watson, the Panthers also balked at the $230MM guarantee the Browns authorized. An inquiry into Russell Wilson‘s status went nowhere, with the longtime Seahawks QB prioritizing a Denver move.
The Panthers still have Sam Darnold, whom they acquired for three draft choices — including a second-round pick — last year. Darnold, 25, struggled through an injury-interrupted 2021 season, putting his status as Carolina’s 2022 QB in doubt. But the Panthers, upon trading for the former Jets top-three pick, exercised the scuffling passer’s fifth-year option. Darnold is guaranteed $18.9MM this year, and Rhule has praised his work this offseason.
The primary reason for the frequent Carolina-centric headlines this offseason, Baker Mayfield, 27, remains on the team’s radar. An early report this offseason indicated neither the Panthers nor Mayfield were on-board with a trade that moved the former No. 1 overall pick to Charlotte, but the NFC South team has come around. The Panthers have been by far the team most closely connected to Mayfield, having engaged with the Browns in trade talks during the draft and resuming them recently.
How Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.9MM salary would be divvied up would seem a somewhat minor hiccup, at least compared to the prospect of making a QB upgrade, but that component has stalled the talks for several weeks. The Browns were believed to offering to pay barely $3MM of Mayfield’s salary during the mid-draft talks, but they have since upped that figure to around $10MM. The Panthers have wanted the Browns to pay nearly $14MM of the figure. Cleveland holds the NFL’s most cap space, with Carolina at No. 2. It would seemingly benefit the Panthers to make this deal soon to give Mayfield as much time as possible to learn Ben McAdoo‘s playbook, and the Seahawks are lurking in the event Mayfield is cut.
Jimmy Garoppolo looms as an option as well, but Carolina is not believed to be interested in trading for him. The four-plus-year 49ers starter is tied to a $26.9MM base salary — one that becomes fully guaranteed in Week 1. The Panthers would be interested if the 49ers cut him, though the 30-year-old passer is coming off a three-injury season — one culminating with a throwing-shoulder surgery that paused his trade market.
Teams can certainly hold out to see if the 49ers — who have Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa extensions on their docket but hold little in cap space — blink on Garoppolo’s salary ahead of his guarantee vesting. But the Panthers waiting that long runs the risk of Garoppolo not joining the team until just before the regular season. That would not put him in good position to succeed. Although frequently scrutinized, Garoppolo did rank 12th in QBR in 2019. That Super Bowl-qualifying campaign also marked his only healthy season in the past four.
Ranking 29th in 2021 QBR, Darnold trailed a hobbled Mayfield (27th) last season. Mayfield’s best QBR season (2020, when he ranked 10th) outpaces Darnold’s by a notable margin. A 25th-place finish in 2019 is Darnold’s best mark, and although he has not been given a favorable draw in four seasons, the USC product teeters on the bust cliff. That said, Mayfield’s 2020 is the outlier in his past three seasons, a span that included a 2019 regression and the injury-plagued 2021 that is leading him out of Cleveland.
The Panthers have outfitted Darnold with a better offensive line this year, and a healthy Christian McCaffrey would make a difference. But are Darnold (or third-rounder Matt Corral, who profiles as a longer-term project) and healthy versions of Mayfield and Garoppolo close enough in ability to venture into training camp without Carolina making a move? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on this situation in the comments section.
I voted Baker simply because I don’t see Jimmy G actually getting cut in the end, though I think they are better off with Jimmy.
It’s probably more likely Baker gets cut right? He is owed a lot of money and he probably isn’t going or play even if Watson is suspended. Especially since the Panthers have expressed interest, Baker knows he has a landing spot.
I don’t see the Browns cutting him. They only save 1.1 million. Keep him on the roster and out of the locker room, much like the Texans did with Watson. They will get a draft pick when hits free agency next year. Ideally though, you’d like to trade him.
Panthers let’s get the deal done and get Mayfield on the roster asap!
Trade the house for Jimmy G!
You must work fo da 49’s
Trade for Baker, you get a year to kick the tires on him and then can extend him or move on. Just can’t keep wasting CMC’s limited availability sitting on your hands waiting until next to draft a QB and then having to develop him. I don’t see CMC being around when this team is ready to compete if they just wait to find a starting QB. Baker for 9m and a few mid round picks seems like a very good buy low option.
Plus you actually give Rhule a fair chance to save his job; leaving him with Darnold and a third round rookie is going to make it difficult to tell whether Carolina’s team failure is a byproduct of poor quarterback play, or ineffective coaching
Or if he has a decent year he can leave as free agent and Carolina right back where at now.
If Baker has a rebound year and feels well-supported by Carolina’s staff, he might be more inclined to re-up with the team. I understand money will undoubtedly be the deciding factor, but if all offers are of equal value, I would think familiarity would be a priority.
Your other option is to hope for the best with Corral and hold onto whatever low draft pick you would ultimately surrender in exchange for Baker
It is a roll of the dice for sure.
They could franchise him and work out a long term deal
That might work but he better play great since estimated tag is 31.5 million.
With the going rate for QBs these days, I don’t think that’s too bad if he played like a viable starting QB. That’s less than Tannehill makes and as much as Cousins and Goff make. Only a few million more than Jimmy G and Wentz. I believe in terms of true dollars that would be around Carr and Ryan levels, as well.
The Panthers might be the only team more clueless than the Bears at solving QB problems. Maybe they could give Mike Glennon a try. Seriously, they aren’t going to be a major contender for several years so they should look at upgrading other positions and keep drafting young QB prospects.
Rumblings in Baltimore? Recent Lamar Jackson quotes about how contract negotiations are going include possibly not reporting to training camp. Is it worth a call to the Ravens to see if they would consider trading him? Looks like the Ravens are going with a dink and dunk short game this year. Could Darnold manage something like that? And recent history, shows the Painters gave an interest in pursuing big time QBs IE Stafford, Watson, Wilson.
I imagine the Panthers have already called every team in the league just to explore options. There is no way the Ravens swap Lamar for Sam unless the objective is to lose half the fan base and create a bad locker room environment.
I mean that’d be a better option than signing Lamar long term lol
start Hundley and land a 1st+ for Lamar
Darnold not going anywhere
I mean Lamar Jackson was MVP so I think he’s better than you think. But you’re a Steelers fan so I get it.
well signing an injury prone run-first qb long term may not be the smartest idea regardless of team
he would’ve received an extension long ago if ravens FO disagreed
I sure wouldn’t want to be stuck with a 30 year old Lamar making 30+
But he isn’t 30+ is he? Injury prone? He missed the last 4 games last year. They were 8-5 and finished 8-9. Kinda proves how valuable he is
he’s getting 5 years minimum
and his play style makes him injury prone by default
He is only 24 or 25 now. Roethlisberger took a lot of hits and played very well into his mid 30’s. Jackson is putting on muscle to withstand the hits. Big Ben put on a lot of hamburgers and pizza
Roethlisberger is bigger than most linebackers
Lamar averages 171 yards passing a game
Jackson has a 37-12 record as a starting quarterback. I’m no Ravens fan but to say Jackson isn’t worth the money is ridiculous. He’s dangerous as hell
Guys: thanks for the insight. All’s I’m saying is is that there is intense tension in Bmore. And all indications r that the Ravens r going with a short game type O. Do we really need a Lamar skill set to run it? Give us a manager type. IE. someone who gets rid of the ball quickly. Yes? Could Darnold do this? Also, as “G the All K” knows from a previous post, I’m a Garoppolo fan. I proposed a multi player deal that in addition to the QB position, addressed positions of need as well. Ravens need an edge guy, SF a “center fielder” to address their big play gaffs. Question. Does Carolina have an edge guy or an LB hybrid kinda guy that can get to the QB? Cheers!
Corral. You can teach him your system without any associated baggage.
Ironically, despite the continuing bloat of coaching staffs, teams simply don’t want to invest years in developing young QB prospects. They only want guys that can make an immediate impact.
Burrow is young and made an immediate impact. Same with Herbert. Same with Mahomes. Same with Jackson. That’s 4 guys that were or could have been MVP in their 1st or 2nd year as a starter.
All those guys were 1st round picks
Corral went 3rd round
I do agree that Kenny Pickett could be a savage off grip tho
Cross-eyed said teams want to get get immediate impact guys and don’t want to develop young quarterbacks. Those guys were all young. If I were the Steelers I wouldn’t put Pickett behind that poor offensive line until they get better. I think Roethlisberger led the league in 3 yard passes. It was like he was playing hot potato
the main issues along the front were addressed
Bake M and the clown in SF are not winning you a super bowl, so why give up anything for them? Play out with who you have and draft a QB
I just want to make Matt Rhule lay in the bed he made until he’s evicted from it.
Cam is toast. He proved that last season.
cam could be the biggest star … in XFL history
I would trade Sam Darnold and a 4th round pick for Baker Mayfield. Salaries are basically equal, but Cleveland can move on from Baker, and they get a QB good enough to win during the Watson suspension. Plus Carolina gets their QB of the future, if they can sign Baker to an extension.
Darnold is good enough to win? What gives you that idea? Cleveland does not want Darnold. If they do go after another quarterback, it’s gonna be a low salaried backup.
Thought that is why already brought in Jacoby Brissett. I’m not seeing the Browns acting to add another qb.
Enough of Sam Darnold. He’s got to go. Trade for Baker Mayfield. Darnold is the biggest mistake that the Panthers have ever made. Time to move on from this huge mistake.
Chris Weinke and Jimmy Clausen wave!