It’s weird to think that the Carolina Panthers gave up more assets to acquire Sam Darnold than Baker Mayfield.
For Darnold, they gave up three picks to the New York Jets and will pay his entire fifth-year option worth $18.5 million in 2022.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns only got a conditional fifth-yard pick in the 2024 NFL Draft which will become a fourth-rounder if Mayfield plays 70 percent of the snaps in the upcoming season.
Likewise, the Panthers will be paying only $5 million of Mayfield’s fifth-year option salary and could give an additional $3.5 million in incentives.
The first and the third overall selections of the 2018 draft will compete for the Panthers’ starting role.
But if you are placing a wager on which play-caller will win, it’s better to not bet on Darnold.
Worth noting after the Panthers have acquired Baker Mayfield pic.twitter.com/CuSkKvUAJQ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) July 6, 2022
The NFL on CBS shared an illustration regarding 19 quarterbacks who have thrown 1,500 passes since 2018.
Sadly, Darnold ranked dead last in all nine categories.
He had the worst winning percentage, passer rating, completion percentage, and yards per attempt among the quarterbacks who fit the category.
He is also the worst in interceptions per attempt, passing touchdowns per attempt, and passing yards per game.
Darnold also ranks last in touchdown to interception ratio.
The Panthers Are Still Doomed
Granted that it isn’t certain that Darnold is their starter, are the Panthers better off with Mayfield?
They may slightly improve at the position but they have a lot of roster concerns to address.
Therefore, the Panthers are still poised to struggle during the 2022 NFL season even if Christian McCaffrey returns.
In their division alone, it’s difficult to see them defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints.
They will also be facing teams from the AFC North and the NFC West, which are two of the league’s toughest divisions.
In short, Panthers fans will find it hard to be optimistic about their chances.
NEXT: Skip Bayless Roasts The Panthers Following Baker Mayfield Trade