The 2022 NFL season is shaping up to be a tough one for the Carolina Panthers.
On defense, they’ve lost Haason Reddick to the Philadelphia Eagles and Stephon Gilmore to the Indianapolis Colts.
Meanwhile, they are building their offensive line by signing Austin Corbett and drafting Ikem Ekwonu.
There’s nothing wrong with prioritizing their line, especially after their disappointing performance last season.
However, it makes no sense to build the line if the quarterback they are protecting isn’t performing well.
In that case, as ESPN’s Mike Clay tweeted, Panthers fans must brace themselves for another long season.
Sam Darnold and a third-round rookie.
It's hard to get too excited about Carolina's 2022 prospects with this QB situation. https://t.co/JBhFnSWO79
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) May 2, 2022
Clay said, “Sam Darnold and a third-round rookie. It’s hard to get too excited about Carolina’s 2022 prospects with this QB situation.”
He said this statement in response to The Charlotte Observer’s Jonathan M. Alexander, who said, “Scott Fitterer confirms trading for Matt Corral does take them out of the veteran trade market.”
In that case, Corral, Sam Darnold, and P.J. Walker will be the Panthers’ quarterbacks next season.
At least the Atlanta Falcons are building their offense with Marcus Mariota and rookie wide receiver Drake London.
Therefore, the Panthers should brace themselves for being at the cellar of the NFC South again.
No Trades For Veteran Quarterbacks
Except for Ekwonu’s selection at number three, all of Carolina’s picks during the 2022 draft came from trades.
To arrive at the pick they used to draft Corral, the Panthers traded their 2022 fourth-rounder and 2023 third-rounder to the New England Patriots.
The verdict is still out on the former Ole Miss standout and he could be the franchise quarterback Carolina seeks.
But it’s safer to bet on that not happening, given how underwhelming the 2022 quarterback class had been during the Scouting Combine.
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