Panthers Not Rushing To Name Starting Quarterback For 2022 NFL Season

The Carolina Panthers are not yet ready to name their starting quarterback for the 2022 NFL season despite acquiring Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns, a clear favorite in the eyes of sports pundits.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule made it clear to reporters this week that he is not yet ready to make an official announcement on that matter, Pro Football Talk reported.

“Not yet,” Rhule said when he was asked whether he’s ready to name a starting quarterback. “You know, not prepared for anything right now other than watching this tape. Like I said all along, when we know we know, and we’ll announce something when it’s right.”

But the answer is expected to come in the next few weeks. Carolina will face Mayfield’s former team, the Cleveland Browns, in 22 days.

Mayfield and fellow Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold did not see action in their team’s preseason game against the New England Patriots Friday. Instead, it was P.J. Walker who started and returned after rookie Matt Corral suffered a foot injury.

“The ones didn’t play and those guys [Mayfield and Darnold] are both competing to be with the ones, so we wanted to make sure they had a chance,” Rhule said. “We didn’t want to put one or two guys out there and play them behind the second offensive line.”

Corral suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot, according to another report from Pro Football Talk. With this development, the 23-year-old player is likely out for the season.

The Panthers selected Corral in round three of the NFL Draft, a time when Carolina was working on possibly acquiring Mayfield.

Had he not been injured, Corral would have been the third option for Rhule as he goes through a developmental year.

With the former Ole Miss Rebel out for the season, Walker will likely be the third man behind Mayfield and Darnold. But the bigger question right now is who between Mayfield and Darnold will get the starting nod for the 2022 NFL season.