The Carolina Panthers have done quite a bit of work this offseason. They’ve revamped their coaching staff, they’ve brought in a handful of solid free-agent signings and then they topped it off with a pretty good draft class.
So, what’s left to do? Well, according to NFL.com Marc Sessler, it’s acquiring Baker Mayfield.
On Wednesday, the Around the NFL writer published his biggest remaining offseason priorities for each team. And for the Panthers, Sessler thinks a trade for the Cleveland Browns quarterback would be a wise move.
“A year ago, my task for the Panthers read: rebuild Sam Darnold. He’s still in the building after a putrid 2021 campaign, looming today as a coach killer,” he writes. “Darnold was put into a tough situation inside an attack with a decrepit O-line and Christian McCaffrey missing 10 games. The excuses end there, though, and so should Carolina’s commitment to Sam. I’m not pushing for third-rounder Matt Corral to be thrown to the wolves, either, when general manager Scott Fitterer has options on the horizon that can keep this regime afloat. Armed with the second-most cap space league-wide, the Panthers remain a viable landing spot for Baker Mayfield. He’s unquestionably a better option than Darnold and would hit town with a chip on his shoulder the size of Ecuador behind a much-improved front five. Desire a cherry on top? The Panthers open their season at home against Mayfield’s once-beloved Browns.”
While Mayfield is undoubtedly a better quarterback than Darnold, general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule seem inclined to play the waiting game. Whether that be for the price of either Mayfield or San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo to come down, the Panthers aren’t exactly in a rush to give up any more assets for another retread project.
So, at least for now, Carolina—with Darnold and Corral in the car—is in the driver’s seat for any potential trips down such an avenue.
