Worst Trade In Recent Memory: Carolina Panthers

The 2021 trade between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets was a pretty bad one for the Panthers, now that all the dust's settled.

The trade saw quarterback Sam Darnold get sent from the New York Jets to the Carolina Panthers in April 2021. In exchange for Darnold, the Jets received a package of draft picks, including a 2021 sixth-round pick and second- and fourth-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Sam Darnold already celebrating the trade to the Carolina Panthers 😓 #Jets pic.twitter.com/ttoqGaa9i8

— Cali (@CaliJets) April 6, 2021

Darnold had been the Jets' starting quarterback for three seasons, but had struggled with inconsistency and had been unable to lead the team to a winning record.

The Panthers were in need of a new starting quarterback after parting ways with longtime starter Cam Newton, and saw Darnold as a player with untapped potential who could benefit from a change of scenery.

The former #Panthers coach and current front office thought it was a genius idea to trade a haul for Sam Darnold and pass on Justin Fields pic.twitter.com/Gm9rxIjm3E

— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌️ (@PanthersAnalyst) November 13, 2022

The trade was seen as a way for the Jets to acquire new draft capital and begin rebuilding their roster under new head coach Robert Saleh.

The team used the second-round pick they acquired in the trade to select wide receiver Elijah Moore, who had a promising rookie season in 2021, and has since been traded to the Cleveland Browns.

In addition, the Jets used the 2022 second-round pick, along with their fifth-rounder, to acquire the New York Giants' second-round pick in the 2022 draft, which they used to draft running back Breece Hall, who has already looked like a star in his limited action.

Full analysis of the #Jets trade of QB Sam Darnold to the #Panthers, via @judybattista:https://t.co/v9VScsxLwg

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 6, 2021

Meanwhile, Darnold struggled in his first season with the Panthers, throwing for just 2,584 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 12 games. He was benched in favor of backup quarterback P.J. Walker late in the season, raising questions about his future with the team.

Darnold has since been signed by the San Francisco 49ers.

The trade was seen as a gamble for the Panthers, who gave up valuable draft picks for a player who had not yet proven himself at the NFL level. Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports