NFL Free Agency 2022: The worst move made by all 32 teams

NFL Free Agency: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced by general manager Andrew Berry (L) and head coach Kevin Stefanski during a press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 25, 2022 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
NFL Free Agency: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced by general manager Andrew Berry (L) and head coach Kevin Stefanski during a press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 25, 2022 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /
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NFL Free Agency
NFL Free Agency: Sam Darnold #14 of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass during the second half of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers worst move in 2022 NFL Free Agency

Putting too many eggs in the Sam Darnold basket, recklessly trading draft picks

At this point, everybody knows the Carolina Panthers are in love with Kenny Pickett.

Everybody knows that Pickett once committed to play for Matt Rhule at Temple before Rhule took the Baylor head coach job. Everybody knows that, at pick no. 6 overall, the Panthers would probably take him if he was available.

The fact of the matter is, the Panthers are in this situation because they put too many eggs in the Sam Darnold basket a year ago.

I know that doesn’t directly apply to the 2022 offseason or free agency period, but clearly, the Panthers made a horrible decision last year to trade what they did for Darnold, and after all of the additional trades they made in 2021 (Stephon Gilmore, CJ Henderson), the Panthers don’t have any picks in rounds two or three of this draft.

With the state of their roster currently, that’s not good at all.

And what happens if another team jumps the Panthers for Pickett? Even if that seems unlikely at this point, it’s a possibility and the Panthers don’t really have another answer outside of Sam Darnold or maybe going after Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield in a trade that would require them to give up 2023 Draft capital.

Carolina is in a rough spot at QB and a very rough spot with their 2022 NFL Draft capital.