The Carolina Panthers are one of, if not the first team in line for the next available quarterback. You don’t think head coach Matt Rhule is really wanting to wager his job with Sam Darnold under center, do you?
And as of now, there’s an increasing feeling that—some way or somehow— Baker Mayfield lands in Charlotte. With the Cleveland Browns still looking to clear out the disgruntled passer to make the complete transition to Deshaun Watson, the Panthers can use a bit of their leverage to acquire the former No. 1 overall pick.
But, although they hold most of the cards in that potential deal, is Mayfield really the best fit for Carolina? Well, according to Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield, perhaps not.
Schofield, instead, suggests that the Panthers and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would make for a pretty solid match. He writes that new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, despite his sour tenure heading the New York Giants, could be a fine puppeteer for Jimmy G and his strengths as a short to intermediate thrower.
“But it is his [McAdoo’s] journey that makes him perhaps an ideal coach — and the Panthers an ideal fit — for Garoppolo. McAdoo’s NFL background is rooted in the quick-strike, West Coast philosophy of McCarthy, under whom McAdoo cut his teeth in the league.”
For more on Schofield’s breakdown, click here.