The Charlotte Observer reports "there's a strong chance" QB Sam Darnold will be the Panthers' Week 1 starter.

[TheSpecialJuan]

SAM DARNOLDQB, CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Charlotte Observer reports "there's a strong chance" QB Sam Darnold will be the Panthers' Week 1 starter.

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer called Darnold the favorite for the quarterback job last month. The Panthers overhauled their offensive coaching staff after Darnold went 4-7 with 13 interceptions over 11 starts in an injury-shortened first season in Carolina. There's some "belief in the organization" that Darnold, who was the youngest starting quarterback in league history and is only 24, will take a step forward in 2022. After missing out on Deshaun Watson, the Panthers plan to stick with Darnold over trading for a veteran starter but haven't ruled out drafting a quarterback with the No. 6 pick

[Waldo]

[mrcompletely11]

Why wouldn't he be?

[ForJimmy]

[BlueBuck24]

Tank commander Sam. Bring it on.

[onmyown]

Good.

[Khyber53]

Good, it's going to go either one of two ways:

1) he's going to start the year and hand the reigns over to a younger dude

or

2) he somehow finds what he's been missing and becomes a winner here.

Either way, it's probably the best thing we can do right now. Use that first round draft pick on getting the best o-lineman available and develop something that works.  If Darnold doesn't work out at all, we'll get a back up some experience (we need to pick someone like Zappe up in the late rounds) and we can wade into the next draft with a high pick, new leadership and a much better pool of QBs.

And if Darnold somehow makes the connection and plays lights out? Well, we can go back and say it was a great move back in the day and pat ourselves on the back like we knew it all along. 

Everyone wins.

If we pick a QB in the first round, chances aren't good for his getting a winning season here right out of the gates. Rhule will probably be fired after our fifth loss and the new HC will come in and be saddled with a QB that doesn't fit his needs, was drafted too high and has been badly coached. That's a recipe for misery stew.

 

[L-TownCat]

Enjoy that pecker sandwich Rhule!  You dumb douche.  Run it back with Derp Darnold.  You deserve every second of it.

[LinvilleGorge]

Very well could happen. BOA will definitely be hosting some home games for opposing teams. So basically business as usual for the Tepper era so far.

[frankw]

He's trash and the longer this team believes otherwise they get what they deserve.

[Lurk21]

I think this is an ultimate smokescreen being out out... Best way to steer people  away from anything  and cause confusion. 

[Lurk21]

Put out*

[Jmac]

No shat. I guess they want to try him behind a better Oline, OC look, and a full training camp without the COVD restrictions. If they don't trade or get a veteran, he will have to be the guy. Nobody in this draft is NFL ready by any means. That will definitely be his last chance to show up or onto the proverbial QB's that are lost to the world of never was.

Edited April 2, 2022 by Jmac

[Shotgun]