The Carolina Panthers are expected to come into training camp with four quarterbacks on the roster. They’ll look to keep at least two heading into the regular season. With that in mind, what is the state of the Carolina Panthers quarterback room?
Carolina Panthers Quarterback Room Breakdown
The Coach
Former quarterback Josh McCown will lead this room as the quarterbacks coach. McCown has garnered interest as a head coach from the Houston Texans but will get his first NFL coaching opportunity in Carolina. As a quarterback, McCown has been known as a journeyman. He played for 12 teams, including the Panthers in 2008-09. Regarding quarterback experience, McCown has plenty to share with his quarterback room.
Bryce Young
The No. 1 pick and favorite to win the starting job will have to have a poor offseason if he isn’t announced the starter by Week 1. With the amount of draft capital that’s been used on Young and the massive amount of fan support he’s garnered, it would be a mistake not to roll him out to start the season with already impressing head coach Frank Reich in rookie mini camp with his decision making and ball control after being drafted April 27. As the offseason moves along, Young will continue to learn the offense and grasp the speed of the NFL. Reich announced at the end of rookie mini camp that Young would run with the second team at the start of OTAs and work up from there.
Andy Dalton
Coming out of the same draft as Cam Newton in 2011, Dalton’s days as a starting quarterback are past him, and he has served the backup role since the Cincinnati Bengals moved on from him in 2019. Since 2019, he’s been on the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints, serving as each team’s backup or bridge quarterback. Dalton signed with the Panthers this offseason to a 2-year, $10 million deal. Once again, he’ll be expected to serve his role as a backup quarterback for the Carolina Panthers but as a veteran and mentor for Young.
Dalton may start the offseason as the starting quarterback because of his experience. All reports indicate that Young will have to earn the starting job. Overall, having Dalton in the quarterback room is a safe option. It’s expected that Dalton and Young will go into the regular season together and Dalton will mentor the Panthers rookie.
Matt Corral
The 2022 third-round draft pick from Ole Miss spent his rookie season recovering from a preseason foot injury. Before getting another opportunity for Carolina, he found himself stuck in an uphill battle. With the signing of Dalton and the selection of Young it will be difficult. Corral will start the OTAs as the third-string quarterback. All in all, he may find himself on another team before the start of the regular season. It was reported during the draft that Corral was being shopped by Carolina as there’s no need for the third-rounder in the quarterback room. The Panthers may be holding on to him to display his skills on the practice field during the offseason. This could raise his asking price instead of cutting him before the preseason. In the end, it’ll take an injury for Corral to remain a Panther, as he would be best suited elsewhere.
Jacob Eason
Eason joined the Panthers in 2022 after serving as a backup for the Indianapolis Colts from 2020-21. For Carolina, Eason was primarily a practice squad quarterback. The Panthers elevated Eason numerous times because of injuries to their starters in 2022. This season, Eason is expected to serve that role again and remain a part of the practice squad once the season begins. There is a possibility Eason is the third stringer on the team. That is if Corral is cut or traded.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon USA TODAY Sports
