Panthers, Seahawks Best Suited to Trade for Quarterback in 2022 NFL Draft

It amazes me sometimes how unprepared professional sports teams can be as they head into a new season. Football teams, in particular, astonish me when they don’t have a clear starting quarterback at this point in the offseason -- or a clear plan at least considering the draft is ahead. I look at these teams and think, "You had one job!" The Seahawks and Panthers are perfect examples of this as we near the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Seattle finally parted ways with Russell Wilson after more than a decade, shipping him to Denver. Between himself and Pete Carroll, the Seahawks enjoyed a run of success, and even a Super Bowl win. But after a few rough years, it was time to move on from the established system. However, the Seahawks seem to have no idea how to fill his shoes. They let a number of quality quarterbacks slip through their fingers during free agency and are now left with Jimmy Garroppolo and Baker Mayfield as their main options.. I suppose they could take a chance by trading a late pick to the Commanders for Taylor Heinicke, but that seems like the worst of three bad choices. 

Seattle has four picks in the first round of the draft to work and barter with. Seattle needs to address a lot of things, but quarterback should be at the top of that list. I don’t know why I get the feeling that it’s not, though.

Let's shift gears to the Carolina Panthers. They find themselves in similar uncertain waters. What is Carolina planning to do at this point? They struck out in their quest for Deshaun Watson, and Russell Wilson wanted no part of playing for Carolina. Drafting a quarterback could be an option or they could take their chances with a Garoppolo or Mayfield gamble.

The Panthers' hands are tied a bit more than Seattle due to Sam Darnold remaining on the books for $18.85 million guaranteed. They could have avoided that but picked up his fifth-year option for some reason. 

There is a good chance that Malik Willis will be on the board when the Panthers pick at No. 6. I see a world where they pull the trigger on him instead of trading for any option currently available.