There may not be a team in the NFL that needs a quarterback more than the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Sure, some teams would be better off making upgrades, but the Panthers cannot have a repeat of 2021 in 2022 under center.

Carolina had Sam Darnold, Cam Newton and P.J. Walker start games last season. While Darnold got off to a hot start and looked to have figured some things out from his time with the New York Jets, it turned into a disastrous season.

All three finished the season with more interceptions than touchdowns thrown. They were 29th in yards, 31st in touchdowns and last in interceptions. They were last in net yards gained per pass attempt and completed only 58.1 percent of their passes.

With defenses not worried about the Panthers beating them through the air, the offense was a mess. Bringing in a new quarterback in 2022 is imperative if this team wants to accomplish what they believe they are capable of.

Over at ESPN, a simulation of the quarterback carousel for this offseason was done. The Panthers were one of the teams mentioned prominently and one of the players that they targeted was Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers.

Garoppolo is as good as gone this offseason despite making it to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in his career. The organization is ready to hand the keys of the offense over to Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

David Newton, who is playing the role of the Panthers’ front office, placed an offer to the 49ers. He offered a 2022 fourth-round pick and a 2023 second-round pick for Garoppolo. That deal sounds like a good one for San Francisco, who recoups the second-round pick they traded to acquire him from the New England Patriots.

By keeping their first-round pick, the Panthers can continue reshaping the offensive line in front of him. They do not have second and third-round picks this year because of the Darnold and C.J. Henderson trades that were made.

A deal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was ultimately accepted in that exercise, but it was a bit head-scratching. Tampa Bay only offered a second-round pick in 2022, which will be near the end of the round. Carolina’s second-round pick wouldn’t covey until next year, but they are getting a second mid-round pick this year.

Ultimately, Carolina will have to look elsewhere for a starting quarterback in 2022 based on this exercise. But, their offer would be competitive in the Garoppolo sweepstakes.