It looks like the Panthers don’t want to go back down the Sam Darnold rabbit hole.

According to Judd Zulgad of SKOR North, Carolina recently called the Minnesota Vikings to inquire about quarterback Kirk Cousins’ availability.

“They have gotten a call. Now, from what I’ve heard, it went nowhere so far,” Zulgad said on Monday’s episode of “Purple Daily.” “But it’s interesting that the phone did ring at TCO [Stadium] in Eagen and on the other end of the line . . . the Carolina Panthers.”

The Panthers appear set to pursue their third starting quarterback in as many years after Darnold flopped in his first season under head coach Matt Rhule. Carolina sent second- and fourth-round picks to the Jets in exchange for the former No. 3 overall pick last season, but Darnold threw nine touchdowns to 13 interceptions in 11 starts and at one point was benched for P.J. Walker. The Panthers also brought Cam Newton back as a free agent during the season, but he struggled across eight games (five starts) and couldn’t keep hold of the starting job.

Carolina had signed Teddy Bridgewater in 2020 – Rhule’s first season with the team – but eventually traded him to the Broncos. They had the opportunity to draft either Justin Fields or Mac Jones with the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but opted for cornerback Jaycee Horn instead.

“Quarterback-desperate. Panicked, I’m sure,” Zulgad said. “I think if Matt Rhule and the Panthers don’t have a successful 2022, he’s probably going to be fired, because that has not worked out. They cast their lot, in 2021, with Sam Darnold — didn’t work out. And so I’ve heard that the Panthers . . . now the Vikings supposedly said ‘Hey, let’s put a pin in that conversation. We don’t plan to move him now.’”

Cousins is in the final year of his contract in 2022, and Minnesota has a new head coach-GM duo in Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, respectively. Both sides could mutually decide on a fresh start (or that exit could be one-sided, if Adofo-Mensah wants to go a separate way at the position).

It seems like Minnesota will consider making a move – but won’t do it now, despite how “desperate” the Panthers may be.