After months of speculation about what the Carolina Panthers plan to do at quarterback next season, they finally made their move to trade for former Cleveland Browns starter Baker Mayfield.
The Panthers didn't give much, surrendering just a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick to get the former number one overall selection, with the financial split of his contract being the subjected of discussion. But most expect him to be the team's next starter, which begs the question of what they'll do with Sam Darnold. But based on reports, Darnold doesn't have to pack his bags yet.
Via Pro Football Talk:
According to multiple reporters on the Panthers beat, Carolina has no intention of trading Darnold after adding Mayfield.
That sets up a potential competition between Mayfield and Darnold to be the Panthers’ QB1 to open the season. But with Mayfield coming in on July 6, Darnold clearly isn’t seen as a long-term solution.
But that leaves the question of what do the Panthers do with incumbent QB Sam Darnold? Darnold started his stint in Carolina red-hot, leading them to a 3-0 season that had many thinking he was turning the corner after a disastrous stint with the New York Jets.
After an eventual drop-off and a midseason injury, Carolina even went back and re-signed former franchise face Cam Newton to take the reins for a bit.
Now with Baker Mayfield entering the fray, the writing seems to be on the wall for Sam Darnold. But for now, he's still sticking on the roster with the final starter on Week 1 for the Panthers still yet to be determined.