While the Carolina Panthers reportedly met with free agent quarterback Derek Carr this week, it seems that he is not the only signal-caller they have had contract talks with recently.
The Carolina Panthers are in the midst of their latest regime change. After two and half seasons as head coach, the team fired head coach Matt Rhule during the 2022 season and then hired Frank Reich to replace him last month.
Now, the new head coach and general manager Scott Fitterer must come up with a plan for how their roster will look in 2023. One of the biggest questions for the team next season is who will be their quarterback in Week 1.
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They still have 2022 rookie QB Matt Corral on the roster, and he should be ready for training camp after having his season cut short early due to a Lisfranc injury. Also, backup PJ Walker — who was solid in his starts late in the season — is a restricted free agent. Plus, the team showed they are clearly interested in four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr after meeting with him at the NFL Combine on Tuesday.
However, it seems that one of their other QBs from last season could be back in 2023. On Wednesday, ESPN Carolina Panthers beat reporter David Newton revealed that the team has already made moves toward a reunion with free agent quarterback Sam Darnold.
Carolina Panthers record with Sam Darnold: 8-9
“While the Panthers are meeting with Derek Carr in Indianapolis, their focus is more on mid-level (salary-wise) veteran quarterbacks. They already have had preliminary discussions with representatives of Sam Darnold, per sources. Darnold makes sense if they plan to draft a QB.”
– David Newton
Darnold disappointed in 11 starts for the team in 2021 after being acquired in a trade from the New York Jets. In training camp last year, he was then beaten out for the starting job by former Cleveland Browns starter Baker Mayfield. An ankle injury eventually knocked him out until November.
- Sam Darnold stats (2023): 6 games, 1,143 passing yards, 7 TD, 3 INT, 92.6 rating
Under interim head coach Steve Wilks, Darnold was reinstalled as the starter late in the campaign and delivered solid numbers in the final six games of the season, including four victories. The Carolina Panthers have the ninth overall pick in this year’s NFL draft.