Last spring, the Carolina Panthers apparently had astronomical hopes for what Sam Darnold could do for their offense—investing a second-round pick, a fourth-round pick and an almost $19 million option into the former New York Jets quarterback. But that’s all come crashing down to Earth now.
According to MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer, the perception of Darnold around the league is very likely at an all-time low. And if the Panthers are looking to move on from their disastrous deal, they’ll have to make it worth the next mark’s while.
“One player I talked to a few people about was Panthers QB Sam Darnold,” Breer noted from his weekend at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. “His value has cratered, and it sure seems like Carolina might need to eat some of his money to deal him.”
Darnold isn’t the only party that’s cratered during this failed project. The Panthers, between a less-than-surefire quarterback class and an ever-shrinking trade market, are sunk under center after another embarrassing season.
Head coach Matt Rhule’s previous belief in the former third overall pick has evidently wavered, as he’s declined to name Darnold his 2022 starter while exhausting a plethora of avenues for his replacement. The bottom fell out from Darnold after an impressive start to 2021, as the fourth-year passer tossed 10 interceptions to just four touchdowns over his final eight appearances of the campaign.
The search for a worthy enough quarterback will continue to be tough, but the prospect of washing their hands from their last attempt will probably be even tougher.
