Sounds Like Sam Darnold Was Plan C for the Panthers
The Carolina Panthers were expected to make a splash at quarterback this offseason. The organization saw everything they needed to move on from Teddy Bridgewater after just one year, and they were in the trade market for superstars like Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson.
And picking No. 8 in the NFL Draft, which features one of the strongest quarterback classes we've seen recently, it seemed like they were going to have a new franchise QB one way or another.
Instead, they got Sam Darnold.
This sentiment isn't coming from us by the way. Even the Panthers own general manager admitted that Darnold was not their Plan A. Or even their Plan B.
Panthers GM Scott Fitterer told reporters in Carolina that talks w/ #Jets heated up at Justin Fields' pro day March 30 -- 4 days after SF's trade up. At 8, Carolina felt like they wouldn't get QB they desired. Hence, Darnold. https://t.co/JitSx7hfBX
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 6, 2021
Understandably, the Panthers bowed out of trade negotiations with the Houston Texans when Watson's recent legal issues emerged.
Then, when the San Francisco 49ers made a trade to jump up to No. 3 in the draft, the chances of Carolina landing one of the top five quarterback prospects fell dramatically. The top 3 picks are likely all going to be quarterbacks. The Atlanta Falcons may also be in the QB market. Any team looking to land a hopeful franchise QB will be a real threat to trade up ahead of the Panthers to grab one.
So instead, they went with the backup to their backup plan.
After seeing what happened with Ryan Tannehill when he was freed from Adam Gase's clutches, Panthers fans do have some room for optimism. Darnold has really never had a fair chance to live up to the potential that made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2018.
Following the trade, the Panthers rank third in the NFC South in odds to win the division (+550), and they are -300 to miss the playoffs, according to odds from WynnBET.