The Carolina Panthers quarterback saga continues. A recent comment from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has linked the team with Baker Mayfield… again. Fowler noted that the Panthers want another quarterback in the mix to join Sam Darnold and Matt Corral. Adding Mayfield to this group does not really solve anything and that begs the question. Are the Carolina Panthers at the onset of panic mode?
Matt Rhule was brought in by Carolina to lead their team and provide solutions to an offense that was sputtering. In two seasons Rhule has a 10-23 record with an offense that was one of the worst in all of football last season. Granted having a who’s who of average to below average quarterbacks during this time has not helped matters. The Panthers have started Teddy Bridgewater, P.J. Walker, Sam Darnold, and Cam Newton the past two seasons. Darnold and Walker remain in Carolina while Newton is a free agent and Bridgewater is a backup in Miami after a brief one year stint in Denver. Drafting Corral has shown they are not settled with their incumbent quarterback options and still being connected to Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo amplifies that further.
So what about Mayfield? Well, adding another first round disappointment to their roster really does not solve anything. There have been a lot of hand wringing about Mayfield’s performance, injuries, and schematic performance while in Cleveland. The point remains that Mayfield is another average to below-average quarterback that Carolina would be taking a chance. Carolina would be repeating their mistake from a year ago when they traded for Darnold and picked up his fifth-year option.
Here’s the reality, Rhule has to know that his job security is on the line should the Panthers stumble again in 2022. That is why the team continues to be linked with other quarterbacks who are not the answer for their respective organizations. Darnold, Mayfield, and Garopplo are all of the underwhelming variety that do not provide long term solutions. The Panthers would be better off playing out this season and if things line up properly be in position for a top quarterback selection in the 2023 draft. Making a panic move by acquiring Mayfield or Garoppolo does not provide any clarity for their roster and surely be an indicator of panic internally.
