Panthers HC Matt Rhule 'warming' to idea of Sam Darnold, Matt Corral atop depth chart

Those who have paid any attention to the situation are likely aware that the Carolina Panthers have repeatedly been linked in rumors and reports with Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. Carolina allegedly is in "no rush" to pull the trigger on a trade for either, potentially because individuals around the NFL seem to believe both Mayfield and Garoppolo will ultimately be released at some point before preseason games get underway in August. 

The thought is that either Mayfield or Garoppolo would be an upgrade over current Carolina signal-callers Sam Darnold and third-round draft pick Matt Corral. It appears, however, that Panthers head coach Matt Rhule may not necessarily agree with that take. 

In a piece published on Monday, The Athletic's Joseph Person reported that Rhule "seems to be warming to the idea of rolling with Darnold" and Corral as his top quarterback options.

That doesn't mean the Panthers won't add a proven commodity to their quarterback room this summer. 

"At least some in the Panthers' organization remain interested in Mayfield, but only if the Browns are willing to pay a sizable percentage of his $18.8 million salary," Person added in the story. 

Person also speculated that team owner David Tepper "doesn’t want to spend much more on another quarterback who probably won’t get the Panthers any closer to a Super Bowl," which may or may not say plenty about how Tepper and Rhule view Mayfield and/or Garoppolo. 

Then again, this all could be a smokescreen and an attempt to force the Browns and 49ers to let their quarterbacks who are surplus to requirements hit free agency as soon as possible.