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After getting off to a hot start by winning their first four games of the season, the Panthers lost their mojo as the season wore on. They began to play inconsistently on both sides of the ball and were unable to maintain the success they had achieved early on. A lot of this had to do with the poor play of Carolina's quarterback Sam Darnold who hasn't lived up to his potential as a starter in the NFL.
With an offseason that's set to be filled with several roster changes for the Panthers, there's no question that their biggest area of need is an upgrade at the quarterback spot. So as we head into what's set to be a busy NFL offseason filled with lots of big moves across the board, we'll now discuss the four best replacements for Darnold as the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
Best replacements for Panthers QB Sam Darnold
Deshaun Watson
For almost a year now, Deshaun Watson has been demanding a trade from the Houston Texans and the team is yet to grant him his wish. In Carolina, Watson would be able to come right in and make an immediate impact as he'd be joining a talented offensive unit featuring Christian McCaffrey, Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore, Brandon Zylstra, and Chuba Hubbard.
As the most explosive dual-threat quarterback in the league, Watson would transform the Panthers into a top-5 scoring team in the NFL. He would definitely raise the ceiling for the Panthers' rushing attack that already features McCaffrey and Hubbard. At the same time, Watson would be orchestrating Carolina's aerial assault with Anderson, Moore, and Zylstra. If the Panthers want to reach elite status next season, then making a move for Watson would vastly improve their chances of success in the 2022 NFL season.
Kirk Cousins
Coming off another year where the Minnesota Vikings did not live up to expectations, it's starting to feel like Kirk Cousins may be due for a change of scenery. After spending the past few seasons in Minnesota playing with talents like running back Dalvin Cook, wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and tight end Tyler Conklin, Cousins could do very well playing with a young and talented bunch in Carolina. On the Panthers, Cousins would be rejuvenated and form strong team chemistry with the star offensive players. The former Michigan State Spartans star has one more year left on his current contract before potentially testing the free-agent market at the end of the next NFL season.
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With Cousins playing behind center for them, the Panthers could make a long-anticipated return to the NFL playoffs. His toughness and veteran leadership would pay dividends for this young and multi-skilled Panthers squad that may only be a quality quarterback away from making a surprise playoff run in 2023.
Baker Mayfield
After leading the Browns to the divisional round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs, Baker Mayfield was unable to repeat this success in 2022. Granted there were internal issues with the team and Mayfield was injured for part of the year, it's still safe to say that his time in Cleveland could be winding down. He'd be getting a fresh start in Carolina while getting to work with a youthful and athletic offense.
Mayfield would provide the Panthers with a consistent presence in the pocket. Between his deep arm threat and mobility, Mayfield's skillsets would benefit the Panthers greatly while giving him a much-needed reset. The addition of Baker would also give the Panthers an exciting new look at the quarterback spot while giving them a major boost in the passing game. Should the Browns elect not to offer Mayfield an extension, he would become a free agent in 2023, which could be where the Panthers can really step up their pursuit of the quarterback, unless they want to make a trade before the 2022 campaign.
Cam Newton
He re-joined the team late in the season and brought a ton of excitement to the squad with a few thrilling wins that boosted their morale. However, his rust began to show and a series of inconsistencies led to a decrease in his playing time. In spite of all this, Cam Newton would be able to revive his playing career if given the opportunity to be the starter for an entire season with the Panthers.
We did only get a sample size of Newton in his return to Carolina, but he would still be an upgrade from Sam Darnold and could provide with them a higher level of production at the position. This would be an ideal move for them to make this offseason and could give them a good chance of recapturing the division crown.
