In less than two weeks, the Carolina Panthers will travel to the home of the Indianapolis Colts for a pair of joint practices and an exhibition matchup. But other than the expected lessons to be learned—with a little gauging and iron sharpening to be done—is there something else the team can take away from their preseason partners?
On Monday, the Colts announced upcoming foot surgery for their starting quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles back in March, is expected to miss 5-12 weeks, leaving the hopeful AFC contenders in quite a difficult spot.
Indianapolis must now turn to the rest of the quarterback room, one whose predominant (and maybe only) feature is professional inexperience, in a season where they’ll look to clinch a second consecutive postseason berth. So should head coach Matt Rhule and the Panthers take this is a warning from afar of sorts moving forward?
Well, they could given the youth of their own at the position, making sense for a potential move for a more proven, veteran backup quarterback.
In pertinence to this development, Carolina won’t have the trustiest of options to look to in the event that starter Sam Darnold is injured and misses time. While they aren’t exactly in the Colts’ position, as they’re further behind in a rebuilding process by comparison, there won’t be many games to be won with either P.J. Walker or Will Grier—both of which have lacked composure and results in their limited relief outings—under center.
Darnold could benefit as well. To say his time with the New York Jets was an unstable storm filled with unfortunate setbacks and organizational brain farts is an understatement.
From Adam Gase’s missteps to the lack of help from the front office and to his ghostly sightings and infamous case of the kissing disease, Darnold was hardly in a balanced situation in his first three NFL seasons. The only positive backing for Sam, it seemed, was the tutelage of longtime pigskin slinger and sideline clipboard holder Josh McCown.
McCown, who took the former third overall pick under his wing in 2017 and 2018, could possibly be a lifeline for Carolina, if they decide some additional mentorship will help bring Darnold along. Or maybe another vet, perhaps former Panther Matt Moore, could suffice as a low-cost, high-security signing.
Whether or not this is even an avenue the team’s brass will explore, it’s certainly a scenario worth mentioning, especially considering the volatility at quarterback the Panthers are dealing with right now.
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