The situation under center for the Carolina Panthers isn’t exactly ideal. Okay, maybe it’s a bit worse than that.
And since it is, head coach Matt Rhule doesn’t have much to work with as he heads into a pivotal 2022 campaign. That’s why he, as noted on Monday by Joseph Person of The Athletic, is “warming up” to the idea of diving into the season with what he’s got—fifth-year veteran Sam Darnold and rookie Matt Corral.
Well, at least the two will have their respective cracks at making Rhule feel even warmer. Like the third-year shot-caller stated last week during team organized activities, he and general manager Scott Fitterer will reevaluate all positions following mandatory minicamp—which is set to take place from Tuesday to Thursday.
“I think as we finish minicamp, Scott and I will talk, really at every position and say, ‘Hey, where are we?’” Rhule said on the possibility of adding a veteran passer. “I think at the end of next week—we sit down, we talk about, ‘Hey, where are we?’ We’ve had a chance to see these guys now for eight weeks, nine weeks. Where do we need to bring some more help in? And where do we need to look for somebody at? Where are we good at? I think those talks happen as you finish up minicamp.”
But if Darnold nor Corral can do enough to instill any further confidence, perhaps there’s a third option . . .
Yep . . . you already know, don’t you?
As also reported by Person, there are some within the organization that remain interested in Baker Mayfield. Mayfield, of course, is currently on the outs with the Cleveland Browns and could be traded or released at some point prior to the regular season.
When, though, is that point? Plus, will that point become moot if minicamp goes well for the passers the Panthers currently employ?
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