Update on future of Sam Darnold, Panthers QB situation

The situation with Sam Darnold is bleaker then the Panthers are letting on. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Carolina is operating as if Darnold is out for the rest of the season.

“The Carolina Panthers announced that Sam Darnold is out four to six weeks with a shoulder injury, but the team is operating as if the quarterback will not play again this season, league sources tell ESPN,” wrote Schefter. “One source told ESPN this past week that the Panthers “know Sam is out for the season,” which contributed to Carolina signing quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year contract that essentially guarantees him $6 million.”

When the Panthers traded three picks for Darnold, they hoped he’d be a reclamation project for the ages. While things looked great after three weeks, we’ve seen the former USC quarterback revert to some ugly tendencies since then.

With Darnold’s future murky, Schefter went on to say that this might not just be a one-year fling with Newton. In a wild turn of events, the former face of the franchise has a chance to be the guy once again.

“Newton will have a chance to cement his status as Carolina’s starter for the remainder of this year and potentially the 2022 season as well, sources tell ESPN,” wrote Schefter. “If Newton plays well this season, he would become the favorite to be Carolina’s starting quarterback in 2022.”

After leaving Carolina and being cut by New England, Newton’s future was uncertain. However, it’s evident he has a chance to remake his future in the same place he was so great in the past.

Whether it’s Sam Darnold, Cam Newton or PJ Walker, the Carolina Panthers obviously have question marks at quarterback. Time will tell the way they decide to answer them.

More on the Panthers QB situation

No matter what, it looks like the Panthers are committing to Newton, their former star, for the rest of 2021. While Darnold was capable through the first three weeks of the season, the wheels have truly fallen off over recent weeks.

Moreover, Newton spent the first nine years of his NFL career in Charlotte after the Panthers used their No. 1 overall selection on the Auburn signal caller in 2011. He led the Panthers to three division titles, four playoff appearances and a Super Bowl appearance, and he was named NFL MVP in 2015.

In total, Newton started 124 of the 125 games in which he played for the Panthers and threw for 31,698 yards, 190 touchdowns and 118 interceptions. A true dual-threat quarterback, he also had 4,806 rushing yards and 58 scores on the ground.