In the investment world, diversifying your portfolio is the practice of spreading your investments around so that your exposure or risk to any single type of asset is limited. The idea behind diversification is that a variety of investments will reduce volatility, minimize risk, and yield a higher return over time. This is the strategy the Carolina Panthers are adopting to hopefully find success in the 2022-2023 NFL season.
Matt Rhule is entering his third season as Carolina Panthers head coach. After an underwhelming 5-11 campaign in 2020, the Panthers traded a 2nd, 4th, and 6th round pick to the Jets to acquire the former #3 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft – Sam Darnold. After a blistering 3-0 start in 2021 with Darnold under center, the Panthers collapsed by losing 12 of its final 14 games, including a seven-game losing streak to end the season 5-12.
Next Steps for Panthers – 2022 Offseason
Following the season, the Panthers knew they needed real competition for Sam Darnold. At the very least, they knew they needed more depth at the quarterback position. First, the Panthers engaged the Houston Texans in trade discussions centered around troubled star quarterback Deshaun Watson. However, the Panthers would have had to give up multiple first round picks, and perhaps their star running back Christian McCaffrey, to facilitate a deal for Watson. The Panthers were unwilling to take such a risk on a player who might be suspended for the entire 2022 season. However, the Cleveland Browns felt differently and ultimately traded six draft picks, including three first round picks, to the Houston Texans to acquire Deshaun Watson. The Browns also immediately shook up the quarterback market by giving Deshaun Watson $230 million guaranteed.
This deal closed the door on the Panthers acquiring Deshaun Watson, but it also opened another far less expensive door. The Browns acquiring Watson signaled the virtual end of Baker Mayfield’s career in Cleveland. Mayfield’s stock plummeted since 2017, when he was the Heisman trophy winner. He was also the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft (two picks before Sam Darnold). Nobody in the league wanted him. At least nobody wanted him for his full salary.
The Panthers saw an opportunity to acquire a quarterback who could compete with Darnold, but at far less of a cost, with much less risk involved. On July 6, 2022, The Panthers acquired Browns’ QB Baker Mayfield for a 2024 conditional fifth round pick. Not only are the Panthers getting Baker Mayfield on an expiring contract, but the Browns will be paying more than half of Mayfield’s salary. Therefore, the investment the Panthers are making in Mayfield is minimal. The organization is betting one of these two former Heisman candidates will embrace the competition and spark a career resurrection. If they both fail, the Panthers will be in the exact same position this time next year. However, they don’t need both to live up their pre draft hype. They only need one of them to make this upcoming season a booming success.
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1 Comment
This is the most worthless QB contest since Joe Flacco and Tom Flacco went head to head in their backyard in Delaware. Rhule is definitely fired. Just hire Kap so you can at least sell some tickets.