Darnold is now in line to compete with Baker Mayfield -- who was acquired by Carolina on Wednesday -- for the team's starting QB job, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Following the deal, Darnold, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, now is set to enter a training camp competition with Mayfield, the top overall selection in that draft. While nothing will be handed to Mayfield, it stands to reason that the Panthers wouldn't have dealt for him had Darnold been viewed as the team's clear-cut answer at quarterback. The 25-year-old is coming off an uneven 2021 campaign -- his first with Carolina -- in which he logged 2,527 passing yards, while compiling a 9:13 TD:INT in 12 games. For his part, Mayfield reportedly is past an injury to his non-throwing shoulder that hampered him last season with the Browns.

Darnold remains the Panthers' starting quarterback for now, but rookie third-rounder Matt Corral could get an opportunity to play early in his career if Darnold struggles this season, ESPN's David Newton reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold has not performed up to expectations since entering the league as the second pick four years ago. Even with his change of scenery joining the Panthers last season, Darnold completed under 60 percent of his passes for just nine touchdowns versus 13 interceptions in 12 games. He also lost a pair of fumbles. Although Carolina opting not to trade for Baker Mayfield signals some patience with their quarterback situation, Darnold now has Corral to watch in his rear-view mirror as he approaches the upcoming campaign.

Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said he views Darnold as his starting quarterback, though McAdoo also added, "that is something I shouldn't have said," per David Newton of ESPN.com.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers missed out on Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson, but they could still make a move for Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo, or else bring in an early draft pick to challenge Darnold. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, it's only Darnold and P.J. Walker in the Carolina QB room for the start of the offseason program. Darnold has a guaranteed $18.9 million salary in 2022, the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

GM Scott Fitterer noted Friday that Darnold is currently "in the lead" for the Panthers' starting QB job, ESPN's David Newton reports.

EDGE Analysis

That said, less than a month ago Fitterer suggested that the job was "open,'' but at this stage P.J. Walker is the only other signal-caller on Carolina's roster. With that in mind, Fitterer indicated that the team intends to "add a lot of competition to (the QB) room" while adding he still hopes that Darnold can take the opportunity and run with it. It remains be seen if the Panthers bring in a veteran to compete with Darnold, elect to use a premium draft pick on a young QB, or both, but in the wake of a flurry of movement involving several high-profile players at his position, Darnold, at least for now, remains atop a Carolina depth chart that has yet to be filled out.

Darnold completed 29 of 42 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Buccaneers. He also rushed eight times for 19 yards and lost a fumble.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold threw his first touchdown pass since Week 6 by finding tailback Chuba Hubbard for a two-yard score to cap Carolina's opening drive. While he'd later add to his tally with an impressive 19-yard touchdown to Robby Anderson on a fourth-down play during the fourth quarter, Darnold subsequently coughed the ball up and was picked off. After a rough start to his career with the Jets, the 24-year-old's first season with the Panthers was also marred by turnovers, as Darnold was intercepted 13 times and lost two fumbles in 12 games played. Compared to just nine touchdown passes and five rushing scores, most of which came over the first four weeks, Darnold's underwhelming totals coincided with diminishing returns. With Carolina picking up his fifth-year option prior to the campaign, however, Darnold is under contract for next season. Whether he ultimately remains the starter or not, his decline as this season unfolded dampens his stock's outlook as he embarks on the offseason.

Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he expects Darnold to start Sunday against the Buccaneers, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold started in Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Saints and completed 17 of 26 passes for 132 yards and an interception. Rhule said that Cam Newton once again will be available after playing one offensive snap against New Orleans, and the 32-year-old's most likely path toward playing time is through red-zone duties. However, Darnold should be in line to handle the majority of the snaps.

Darnold completed 17 of 26 passes for 132 yards and an interception in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Saints. He also was sacked seven times and lost a fumble.

EDGE Analysis

Darnold led the Panthers to points on their first two drives, but his performance went downhill from there. The signal-caller was stripped deep in his own territory on Carolina's third offensive series, then took plenty more hits while struggling to move the ball beyond underneath completions. When trying to tie the game late, Darnold was intercepted on his final pass, capping another underwhelming showing. While it's encouraging that Darnold made way for Cam Newton for only one offensive snap -- a five-yard rush by Newton in the second quarter -- his display Sunday doesn't raise optimism over his stock heading into Week 18's finale versus the Buccaneers.

Darnold will start Sunday's game against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Matt Rhule wouldn't comment on expectations for Week 18 in Tampa Bay, merely saying that Darnold will get the Week 17 start. Cam Newton may still get snaps, especially near the goal line, and the New Orleans defense hardly makes for a favorable matchup. Darnold struggled after replacing Newton in last week's loss to Tampa, completing 15 of 32 passes for 190 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Darnold (shoulder) completed 15 of 32 passes for 190 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Panthers' 32-6 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also rushed once for 11 yards and fumbled once but recovered.

EDGE Analysis

The embattled signal-caller saw his first action since Week 9 and ended up outpacing starter Cam Newton by 19 pass attempts overall. Coach Matt Rhule had indicated Darnold would see a fair share of snaps over the final three games, but his workload Sunday arguably exceeded initial projections for his Week 16 return. Neither Darnold nor Newton did anything to distinguish themselves in the ugly loss, however, and David Newton of ESPN.com reports that Rhule was non-committal following the game about the starter for a Week 17 road divisional clash against the Saints.

Darnold (shoulder) is expected to enter Sunday's game against the Buccaneers within a few series in relief of Cam Newton, and he could supplant Newton as the team's starting quarterback for the final two contests of the season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

After heading to injured reserve in early November with an incomplete fracture of his right shoulder, Darnold returned to practice this week and was officially activated Saturday. Though he started in each of Carolina's first nine games, Darnold will be eased back into the mix with a light role behind Newton, who has gone 0-4 through his first four turns as the Panthers' starter. Given that the 32-year-old Newton is on an expiring deal and hasn't made a strong case to be part of Carolina's plans entering 2022, the organization could be incentivized to hand the starting job back to Darnold, who is a virtual lock to be on the roster next season after having his fully guaranteed $18.86 million fifth-year team option picked up last spring. How much Darnold plays Sunday will likely be determined based on how he fares in initial series in place of Newton, who will also have a chance to retain the starting job heading into Week 17 with a strong showing against Tampa Bay.