QB options Ellis Willams Charlotte Observer

[raleigh-panther]

Long read   Well done  Covers it all 

if you are part of the TL/DR group, you might pass it by 

Re-evaluating the Carolina Panthers’ realistic quarterback options in the open market

BY ELLIS L. WILLIAMS

[email protected]

7 hours ago

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise last week when NFL Network’s Peter Schrager said on Good Morning Football that he believes the Panthers are going to be a “major player” for a quarterback this offseason.

As Kate McKinnon’s SNL character Dr. Wenowdis would say, “We know dis already.”

The Panthers were aggressive last offseason for a quarterback and will be again. The question surrounding Carolina’s future at quarterback isn’t a matter of “if” but instead more of a “who” and “when” conundrum.

Last month, I broke the veteran quarterback market down into tiers. Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson, headlined a list of star quarterbacks who were potentially on the move. But the landscape of the league has already changed since then. 

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is reportedly frustrated with his situation in Arizona. The Colts seem ready to move on from Carson Wentz and the Browns have yet to commit long term to Baker Mayfield. 

If that many quarterbacks are possibly switching squads then that means just as many are (like the Panthers) also looking for new quarterbacks. The Saints, Bucs, Lions, Commanders (Washington), Broncos, Steelers, Colts and Texans are all searching for QB 1. Each offseason, there is usually a surprise team or two that enter the quarterback market as. Meaning, about one-third of the league desires a quarterback upgrade. 

Let’s examine the veteran market and explore what quarterbacks could be in the Panthers’ crosshairs. 

“Depending on the trade market, I think it’s a better option to trade for one of these guys,” an NFL executive who spoke to The Observer said. “Rather than spending a pick on one of these (rookie quarterbacks) and hoping for the best.” 

Possible upgrades

Derek Carr

The Raiders have completely remade their offensive coaching staff since the season ended. They hired longtime Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their head coach and he brought several New England staffers with him. McDaniels publicly endorsed Derek Carr during his introductory press conference but that guarantees nothing about his future. 

“I would not say he’s definitely going to stay (in Las Vegas),” an NFL executive told The Observer. “I think it’s closer to 50-50.”

If Carr were made available then the Panthers would be interested in acquiring him. It’s believed Carolina has more weapons to equip Carr with than he has in Las Vegas, which in theory should improve his already top-15 quarterback play. 

If the Raiders decide it’s time to move on, it’s believed he could be acquired for less than a first-round pick. Precedent suggests he would command more than what the Colts paid for Carson Wentz (a conditional first-round pick and a third-rounder).

Regardless of where Carr plays next season, he’ll expect a lucrative contract extension as well.

Russell Wilson 

“I do think the Panthers can be a surprisingly competitive team next year with a couple of smart decisions this offseason. But is Russell Wilson the right fit?,” Bryan Perez of the Draft Network said. “Are you gonna have to mortgage the next, three to four NFL draft cycles for a quarterback, and are the Panthers a Russell Wilson away from bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Carolina?” 

The answer to that last question is no. Carolina is not a Pro Bowl quarterback away from winning a Super Bowl. The fantasy of Matt Stafford playing in Carolina sounds great but the Panthers are not the Rams. They do not roster an Aaron Donald or a Copper Kupp. The Rams drafted their core and then dropped Stafford into a ready-made system. 

Conversely, we’re two seasons into Matt Rhule’s tenure and the Panthers still do not have a clear offensive identity.
 

Which why is the Panthers are in such a quarterback quagmire. 

As I’ve wrote before, Wilson to Carolina could make sense considering his ties to general manager Scott Fitterer. Fitterer was Seattle’s college scouting director in 2012 when the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round. But would Wilson have any real interest in coming to Carolina? Doubtful.

Deshaun Watson 

I feel obligated to write about Deshaun Watson despite nothing changing regarding his legal situation. He is still facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct. He continues to deny any wrongdoing through his attorney.

If Watson’s legal troubles are resolved, then Carolina will be a major player for him. He’ll cost multiple first-round picks — which would likely include the Panthers’ No. 6 selection in the upcoming draft — plus future picks. Considering the Panthers are working with less firepower than teams like the Eagles or Dolphins, Carolina would have to be comfortable parting with a few first-rounders, and probably a young asset from its defense.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Watson has Tampa Bay and Minnesota “on his radar.” Watson’s camp later denied that report. From a legal standpoint, Watson’s case is facing another delay. It sounds like this situation is far from resolution.
 

With so much unknown, landing Watson remains difficult.

Jimmy Garoppolo

There are some within the Panthers organization who do not view Jimmy Garoppolo as an upgrade over Sam Darnold. I understand that notion and tend to agree. However, when I asked others scouts and executives around the league, I’ve received pushback on that idea. 

We are eight years into Garoppolo’s pro career and there is still no consensus on his value or potential. 

For that exact reason, I’d stay away from him. The Panthers need a quarterback who solves their problems rather than one their offense must support. Some around the league wonder if he’s capable of producing outside Kyle Shanahan’s system.

We’ll soon find out but it won’t be in Carolina. 

Unlikely upgrades

Aaron Rodgers 

On the morning of the Super Bowl, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Green Bay is prepared to go “all in” for Aaron Rodgers in 2022. Meaning, general manager Brian Gutekunst is comfortable exercising the entire cap and even spread as much money as possible out several years. Similar to how the Saints worked their cap gymnastics the final few Drew Brees seasons. 

Everyone I talked to said they think Rodgers returns to the Packers. Similar to the Russell Wilson situation, Rodgers does not have much reason to entertain Carolina as a destination. 

“Aaron Rodgers would probably want to go further west,” Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus said. “Not further east.”

Kyler Murray

The Rams dismantled Arizona 34-11 in the wild card round and Kyler Murray looked completely overmatched. He threw for 137 yards and turned it over twice. Regardless, a trade market for Murray would be robust if he became available.

“Kyler Murray got exposed in a playoff game,” Perez said. “And all that has happened since is negative press out of Arizona.”

One NFL scout told The Observer that if the Cardinals asked for pick No. 6, a 2023 first-round pick and a player in exchange for Murray, then the Panthers would have to accept it. Of course, that is all theoretical but highlights how expensive trading for a franchise quarterback will be. 

I asked several experts who they think is more likely to be on a different team next season, Murray or Baker Mayfield. Each said Mayfield. Still, expect Murray trade rumors to start swirling throughout Indianapolis next week when the NFL converges at Lucas Oil Stadium for the combine. 

Let’s keep an eye on this. 

Baker Mayfield

All summer the Browns flirted with Super Bowl expectations. The hype got real and for good reason. But Cleveland had a turbulent year after Mayfield sprained his left shoulder in Week 2 while trying to make a tackle against the Texans after throwing an interception. 

Mayfield battled through injury all season but the Browns’ passing game was abysmal. In January, Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot reported the Browns and Mayfield were at a critical junction in their relationship. Later, the team said Mayfield is their quarterback going into 2022 but things remain fluid. 

Moving off Mayfield won’t be easy for the Browns. Like Darnold, he’ll play the 2022 season under his fifth-year option (about $19 million). The trade market for Mayfield is far from fruitful. It seems most likely he’ll remain in Cleveland while the Browns explore other options. 

Kirk Cousins

If the Vikings trade Kirk Cousins, they’ll probably have to pay a portion of his 2022 salary. He has a cap hit of $45 million. The more Minnesota pays, the more attractive he’d become to potential suitors. 

But the Vikings have no clear succession plan for Cousins. Moving on from him this season could compound their situation rather than help it. Minnesota named former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell its new head coach and it’s been reported that he plans on sticking with Cousins. O’Connell helped improve Stafford’s passing numbers without using play-action this past season and the Vikings want to become less reliant on play-action.
 

I think Cousins stays in Minnesota for at least one more season. Sure, he’s a clear upgrade over Darnold. But even with a loaded roster in Minnesota, Cousins never pushed the Vikings over the top. Cousins needs adequate protection to produce and Carolina cannot provide that yet.
 

Possible wildcards 

Marcus Mariota

If the Panthers court Marcus Mariota in March, then it would signal their long-term solution still is not on their roster. But Mariota seems poised for a starting opportunity after backing Carr up for several seasons. Unlike the quarterbacks on this list above him, he’d be relatively inexpensive. 

“You could do a lot worse than Marcus Mariota at quarterback,” Perez said. “He’s a really good bridge quarterback, especially if the Panthers are leaning toward a Malik Willis type.”
 

His mobility could help cover up the Panther’s offensive line if their rebuild there does not go according to plan. But if you are talking Mariota, Jamies Winston or Wentz then your quarterback situation is far from figured out.

And we are about to talk about all of them. 

Jamies Winston

Jameis Winston is coming off an ACL injury and could very well end up back in New Orleans. An NFL executive told The Observer they do not see much of a difference between Winston and Darnold. When asked why I got a one-word response — turnovers. 

Winston infamously threw 30 interceptions and 30 touchdowns his final season in Tampa Bay while also leading the NFL in passing yards. Winston is more talented (and accomplished) than Darnold but it’s difficult defending most of the turnovers both Darnold and Winston have committed in their short careers. 

Imagine a training-camp quarterback competition headlined by Winston vs. Darnold. Spartanburg, South Carolina, would transform into “Interception City” for a month. 

Carson Wentz

After the Colts traded for Carson Wentz last offseason, it’s unlike he’ll command much on the trade market following an up-and-down season that ended in disappointment. Indianapolis needed to win one of their two final games to make the playoffs but lost both. 

Wentz played poorly and owner Jim Irsay (unlike Panthers owner David Tepper) made a public statement after the season stressing his disappointment in the team’s finish. 

“Carson Wentz is a better option than Sam Darnold. You could also probably get him cheap.” Kyed said. “The most likely scenario there probably is that he’d be cut. If he gets cut and you can sign him for $10 or $15 million dollars a year. It’s not exactly the sexiest quarterback group of Carson Wentz and Darnold. But I do genuinely think that he would be an upgrade in that situation.”

I’ve always believed in Wentz as a talent. While at the Senior Bowl a scout reminded me how dominant Wentz was in Mobile, Alabama, when he played in that game in 2016. But ever since Nick Foles and the Eagles won Super Bowl 52, Wentz has not been the same. Whether it’s injuries or mental, Wentz cannot get out of his own way. 

If he arrived in Carolina, I’d talk myself into it working.

http://Re-evaluating the Carolina Panthers’ realistic quarterback options in the open market https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article258526273.html

[mrcompletely11]

I will post the cliff notes:

 

Our options are poo and rhule has fuged us

[ForJimmy]

I would just prefer Mariotta or Mitch as cheap bridge QBs. We had it lined up with Teddy honestly. We should have been rolling with Teddy last year why Fields (who we should have drafted was developing). Then we would have our 2nd round pick to use with our 1st to draft 2 starting OL (not to mention an extra 18.5 million in cap space) Think Cross/BA Guard in the 2nd. Oh what could have been….. 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Being an NFL owner is apparently too daunting a task for David Tepper, so I've made this easy to follow checklist to vastly improve the Carolina Panthers on field performance this season.

Step 1:  Fire Matt Rhule

Step 2:  See step one

Edited February 23, 2022 by NanuqoftheNorth

[SmokinwithWilly]

1 minute ago, NanuqoftheNorth said:

Being an NFL owner is apparently too daunting a task for David Tepper, so I've made this easy to follow checklist to vastly improve the Carolina Panthers on field performance this season.

Step 1:  Fire Matt Rhule

Step 2:  See step one

Step 3. The next time you allow the football guys to make football decisions, please make sure they at least have some NFL experience first. 

Step 4. See Step one. 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

2 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

Step 3. The next time you allow the football guys to make football decisions, please make sure they at least have some NFL experience first. 

Step 4. See Step one. 

[Dorian Gray]

Maybe Kyler might be fast enough to elude the entire defense crashing down on him every play due to a dogpoo offensive line we won't address.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Marcus Mariotas it is then 

 

[ForJimmy]

20 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Marcus Mariotas it is then 

 

Marcus! 

[TheCasillas]

Derek Carr would be an awesome land for us. That is my only 2 cents.

[Ivan The Awesome]

4 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

Derek Carr would be an awesome land for us. That is my only 2 cents.

If we had a 2nd, that would be it. I wonder if we could entice them with a player and a future 2nd. 

[Jon Snow]

40 minutes ago, Dorian Gray said:

Maybe Kyler might be fast enough to elude the entire defense crashing down on him every play due to a dogpoo offensive line we won't address.

Kyler got happy feet when the defense got in his head. He also started holding the ball too long. Both are death nails for an already bad oline.

[TheCasillas]

4 minutes ago, Ivan The Awesome said:

If we had a 2nd, that would be it. I wonder if we could entice them with a player and a future 2nd. 

probably a future conditional first and this year's 4th

[BlitzMonster]

Rhule made his decision and gave up draft capital for Sam Darnold.  Make him own that decision by playing Darnold the entire season.