Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Sam Darnold’s future with Panthers just got very messy By Ryan Dunleavy April 24, 2021 | 1:26pm | Updated Just when Sam Darnold’s future looked cleared up, it’s messy again. Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said the team won’t decide on Darnold’s fifth-year option for the 2022 season until after the 2021 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday. It was reported soon after the Panthers traded three draft picks for Darnold on April 5 that they planned to exercise the $18.5 million contract option – so this represents either a reconsideration or a draft smokescreen. The deadline for NFL teams to decide whether to pick up fifth-year options on all of the 2018 first-round draft picks is May 3. That is four months before the beginning of each player’s fourth season. Most teams wait until after the draft, even when an option is obviously going to be exercised, like the Giants and Saquon Barkley. “We have a strong plan in place,” Fitterer said. It sounds blasphemous to think that the Panthers would trade for Darnold as a one-year rental when two of the picks they gave up as compensation are in the 2022 draft. Declining his option would mean opening a door for him to leave in free agency, having to negotiate a long-term extension sooner than expected or having to use the highly expensive franchise tag to keep him around. Is it possible the Panthers could draft a quarterback like Mac Jones, Justin Fields or Trey Lance with the No. 8 pick next week? If they do, then the writing is on the wall not to pick up Darnold’s option. It sounds more like a bluff to create a trade market for the pick. “There’s actually several of them that we’re excited about,” Fitterer said of the quarterbacks. “But we’re not going to get into exactly who.” Darnold was supposed to be the quarterback of the future for the Jets. That lasted just three disappointing seasons of roster, coaching and front-office turnover before he was traded to make way for presumptive No. 2 pick Zach Wilson. The Panthers could use the No. 8 pick to draft an elite pass-catcher or a left tackle to help Darnold grow. Or they could set up drama. “I think you always learn from experiences you have, and it’s not just quarterbacks,” Fitterer said. “It’s every position. I believe in bringing in the best players that can fit your team, create competition and upgrade your roster. So whether it’s a quarterback, a corner, it doesn’t matter. It’s how do they fit our team, what’s the path for success and what’s our plan.” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Joe W. Namath Posted April 24, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2021 What a horrible move by the Panthers to trade for this scrub. Thank you Joe Douglas. Thank you! 7 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post munchmemory Posted April 24, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2021 I can now sit here listening to music whilst sipping a nice Provençal rose and just not give two sh*ts about Sam Darnold or what is his fate in the NFL. Beautiful. Thanks again, JD. 6 1 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augustiniak Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 It’s a draft ploy to some degree, but still, why pay him if he’s gonna suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 A bit of an ego bruise for Sam, no doubt, after it was widely reported that he was their guy and they were picking up his option. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post adobolo2 Posted April 24, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2021 josh allen's 5th year option has not been picked up yet either, if it looks bad for sam's future on the Panters does the same rule apply for Allen on the bills? No of course not and this is a nothing story. 9 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 He’s their fall back option if none of the QBs fall down to 8. They could probably find a suitor for him after the draft or during the draft if they do land a QB Thursday night. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Beerfish Posted April 24, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2021 No big deal, smart Gming Never make moves until you have to. If a guy you never expected to be there falls to you at 8 or if you trade back, guy falls to you later as unlikely as it may be you have not committed to anything. It also adds to the bluff of 'we are taking a QB' maybe simply smart GMing 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 Just now, Beerfish said: No big deal, smart Gming Never make move until you have to. If a guy you never expected to be there falls to you at 8 or if you trade back, guy falls to you later as unlikely as it may be you have not committed to anything. It also adds to he bluff of we are taking a QB maybe simply smart GMing I agree with this. Even more surprising than when they announced the terms of the trade was when they announced that they would be picking up his option. It seemed a bit premature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarletKnight89 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 They gave up a lot for a guy they don't seem entirely sold on lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 3 minutes ago, Morrissey said: He’s their fall back option if none of the QBs fall down to 8. They could probably find a suitor for him after the draft or during the draft if they do land a QB Thursday night. But three picks for a rental or a back-up would seem a bit steep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquilo Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 8 minutes ago, adobolo2 said: josh allen's 5th year option has not been picked up yet either, if it looks bad for sam's future on the Panters does the same rule apply for Allen on the bills? No of course not and this is a nothing story. Because they are working on a long term extension (Josh Allen) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nixhead Posted April 24, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2021 Sam who? 3 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adobolo2 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 7 minutes ago, Tranquilo said: Because they are working on a long term extension (Josh Allen) Fair enough, the bills have 2 fifth year options to pick up, still guarantee sam's option will be picked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ZachEY Posted April 24, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2021 I think it makes sense not to pick up the option. If he sucks, you have a cheap out - if you want to keep him, the franchise tag is only 6M more than the option. Risk 6 to save 18 frankly, sounds smart. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcJet Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Buyer's remorse? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 47 minutes ago, munchmemory said: I can now sit here listening to music whilst sipping a nice Provençal rose and just not give two sh*ts about Sam Darnold or what is his fate in the NFL. Beautiful. Thanks again, JD. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munchmemory Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 6 minutes ago, joewilly12 said: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullblast Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 They have no reason to do it now. Let's talk about this on May 4. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munchmemory Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 8 minutes ago, fullblast said: They have no reason to do it now. Let's talk about this on May 4. Or better yet: Never. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philc1 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Is it really that complicated? The panthers can wait until after the draft 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 3 minutes ago, Philc1 said: Is it really that complicated? The panthers can wait until after the draft Not complicated at all. But it was widely reported that the Panthers picked up the option when the trade was made, which a lot of people thought was odd. Turns out it was not so odd because it never happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayRay Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 This ain’t no bluff. The Panthers have been hot for a franchise QB since the start of the draft season. If Fields or Lance drops to them, they’re making the pick. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 1 minute ago, BroadwayRay said: This ain’t no bluff. The Panthers have been hot for a franchise QB since the start of the draft season. If Fields or Lance drops to them, they’re making the pick. And they will have just traded three picks for a one-year backup. Or maybe they'll start Sam till he gets hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjasi Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 It's not going to happen, but it would be super interesting to see what they would do if a QB they loved fell to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philc1 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 1 minute ago, Bruce Harper said: Not complicated at all. But it was widely reported that the Panthers picked up the option when the trade was made, which a lot of people thought was odd. Turns out it was not so odd because it never happened. I never heard anything other than the option for Sam had a deadline after the draft. Maybe some clowns on twitter like fake news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjasi Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 1 minute ago, Philc1 said: I never heard anything other than the option for Sam had a deadline after the draft. Maybe some clowns on twitter like fake news Peter King flat out said it, among others. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 6 minutes ago, Philc1 said: I never heard anything other than the option for Sam had a deadline after the draft. Maybe some clowns on twitter like fake news Here's one: Panthers picking up Sam Darnold's fifth-year option Tim Weaver April 5, 2021 4:28 pm We didn’t have to wait long to find out if the Panthers were going to pick up their new quarterback’s fifth-year option. Not long after Adam Schefter at ESPN reported that the team is trading three draft picks to the Jets for Sam Darnold, Jonathan Jones at CBS Sports reported that Carolina will in fact exercise Darnold’s fifth-year option. There are questions about Darnold’s play during his time in New York (at least his TD/INT ratio). However, from a salary cap perspective it’s not hard to justify bringing him in by any measure. Darnold is entering what would have been the final year of his rookie deal with the Jets. Over the Cap says his cap number in 2021 is a little under $10 million. By picking up the option, the Panthers have Darnold guaranteed to make $18.8 million for the 2022 season – still a relatively small number for a starting quarterback these days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philc1 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 4 minutes ago, slimjasi said: Peter King flat out said it, among others. Well if Peter King says so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointman Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Zach was smart to call players that are in his future shoes... quarterbacks that played for NY. Sam would be wise to call players that are in his future shoes... Calvin Pryor, Dee Milliner, Greg McElroy, Timmy Tebow... 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PS17 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 1 hour ago, munchmemory said: I can now sit here listening to music whilst sipping a nice Provençal rose and just not give two sh*ts about Sam Darnold or what is his fate in the NFL. Beautiful. Thanks again, JD. Upvote for Provence. You’ve got good taste in wine from your post history. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjasi Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 24 minutes ago, Philc1 said: Well if Peter King says so As usual, you are missing the point. The point is that it was widely reported. Peter King repeating it was evidence of that. If you want to pretend that it wasn't, I can't help you. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 The Carolina Panthers would be the laughing stock of the NFL if they did. He was the worst ranked QB in the NFL in 2020. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Harper Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 3 minutes ago, joewilly12 said: The Carolina Panthers would be the laughing stock of the NFL if they did. He was the worst ranked QB in the NFL in 2020. But they wouldn't be a laughing stock for trading three picks for a one year rental? It's a no-win, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munchmemory Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 7 minutes ago, PS17 said: Upvote for Provence. You’ve got good taste in wine from your post history. Thanks. Wish it were possible to pour you a glass and just b/s about the Jets and life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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