USAT: Panthers Wire audio clip

USAT: Panthers Wire

Feb 4, 2022

The Carolina Panthers won’t have the easiest of answers readily available this offseason for their ongoing quarterback woes. But perhaps the best, or most rational one, may be right under their nose (again). - In a collaborative simulation from ESPN’s NFL Nation, the Panthers set out into the offseason taking a pair of swings at two NFC West passers. The first of those tries was for Seattle’s Russell Wilson—in which Carolina was denied for their proposal of Sam Darnold, Christian McCaffrey and three draft picks (2022 fifth-rounder, 2023 first-rounder, 2023 third-rounder) for Mr. Unlimited and a 2022 third-rounder. - Their second and much less sexier attempt (at least from a pure football perspective) was for San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo. And, again, their offer (a 2022 fourth-rounder and a 2023 second-rounder) was slapped away with the 49ers agreeing to ship off Jimmy G to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers instead. - So, as they did this past season, the Panthers wound up calling for Superman in yet another pinch. - “Keeping Darnold wasn’t really a decision, since the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option after trading for him last year,” David Newton writes. “So Carolina is stuck with that $18.9M cap hit in 2022. Ideally, we would have traded for Russell Wilson or maybe even Jimmy Garoppolo, but the team doesn’t have the draft capital to do it — in part because of the Darnold trade. If Deshaun Watson’s legal situation becomes clearer, Carolina could still be in the mix there, and this deal doesn’t change anything. Newton provides veteran competition for us at a low risk. And the door is still open to look at quarterback options in the draft.” - Newton projects Newton being offered a one-year, $5 million deal (with $1 million guaranteed). And being that the two sides may be the best fit for one another once again, it’s an offer the franchise’s greatest player likely wouldn’t refuse. - Carolina, however, wouldn’t be done there. With the 32-year-old Newton now locked in for 2022, general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule made a move for the beyond in drafting University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett. - “Look, there is a greater need at left tackle here, but ultimately the team felt it couldn’t pass on Pickett’s potential,” Newton adds. “Remember, Pickett once accepted a scholarship offer from Carolina coach Matt Rhule to come to Temple before going to Pittsburgh. We’ll see how it plays out, but Darnold is likely the starter. Newton will only make the roster if he starts, and Pickett is the future.” - Perhaps it seems a bit early, here on Feb. 4, to determine whether or not Pickett is worth that sixth overall selection. But does that sound like a plan to you? - - RelatedGM Scott Fitterer: Panthers could 'take a shot' at QB inside draft's top 10 - - RelatedPanthers' Cam Newton has link to top QB prospect Malik Willis - - List - - Panthers 2022 NFL mock draft 1.0: End of January edition - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Panthers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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