After starting out hot in the regular season the Carolina Panthers ultimately collapsed. The young defense continuously got exposed while the offense struggled to move the ball. Regardless, it's not like Carolina is far away from having a competitive roster. We take a look at the biggest Panthers team need as they head into the 2022 NFL offseason.

What the Panthers mainly need is time. They have a young roster throughout and need to develop. With that in mind, Carolina doesn't have to spend a ton of money to generate a playoff-caliber team. Even so, there is one glaring weakness on the offense. If the front office can find an upgrade, this franchise could take over the NFC South.

After watching Matt Rhule struggle to find a starting quarterback, it only makes sense for Carolina to find an upgrade at that position. Sam Darnold is not the answer and Cam Newton is not the same player he used to be. We'll see how it all plays out, but don't be surprised if the Panthers get aggressive in their search for a new leader under center.

With that said, here is our biggest Panthers team need for the 2022 NFL offseason.

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Biggest Panthers Team Need in 2022 NFL Offseason

Find A Superstar Quarterback

It's going to be tricky for the Panthers, as the only real way this franchise improves is by finding a legitimate quarterback. The NFL Draft won't help them much, as Carolina will have to develop the young rookie. The franchise likely doesn't want to have another year of development, as the current roster is shaping up to be great.

Furthermore, free agency won't offer much help either. Marcus Mariota and Mitchell Trubisky are likely the top available free-agent quarterbacks. Neither of them are a true upgrade over the Panthers' current quarterbacks and are rather risky. For that reason, Carolina's best bet will be to acquire a star player via trade.

Luckily for them, there could potentially be a list of superstars available once the trade window re-opens. Already, there is speculation that the Green Bay Packers will be trading Aaron Rodgers, while the Seattle Seahawks could deal Russell Wilson away. However, the Panthers were rumored to be interested in Deshaun Watson and could be back in play for the disgruntled Houston Texans star once again.

Of course, there are red flags regarding Watson, as he's in the middle of several sexual assault cases. There is no guarantee he even plays next year, but it's a risk the Panthers might be willing to take. He's the perfect quarterback for Carolina, as Deshaun Watson is still young enough to play for the organization for years to come.

Another tricky part about Watson is his No-Trade Clause. The Texans' quarterback has the ability to decline a trade even if Houston accepts it. If Carolina chooses to pursue him, the Panthers will have to convince Deshaun Watson to play for them.

This will be an interesting offseason for the Panthers. Not only can they drastically improve the roster by acquiring a star quarterback, but they can make some noise in free agency and the NFL Draft. The roster is stacked with exciting young talent and Carolina should be well on their way to becoming a contender in the NFC South. However, that all depends on if the front office can make the necessary moves.