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There's a new chief passer in town.
No longer serving behind now-departed Jake Delhomme, Matt Moore will wear the freshly placed mantle of Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback when he walks into Bank of America Stadium Monday for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program.
Already, he's trying to set a hopeful tone amid an offseason that's been full of big-name veteran departures and short on free agency additions.
Despite the loss of defensive end Julius Peppers in free agency and the release of longtime stalwarts like Delhomme, fullback Brad Hoover, defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu, and linebacker Na'il Diggs, Moore is staunchly declaring that the Panthers remain solid contenders.
"The youth movement - that term everyone is using - that's no excuse," Moore said Friday in a telephone interview. "There are quality guys here. There are going to be younger guys who are going to have to step up and play (big) roles.
"The challenge is to be consistent. I know we have the guys to do it. I definitely feel we can be competitive."
Moore stopped by the stadium Friday morning to sign a one-year contract tender scheduled to pay him $3.043million next season. As a restricted free agent, the Panthers placed the highest possible tender on him 10 days ago, requiring teams who might be interested in signing him to an offer sheet to surrender first- and third-round draft picks if the Panthers decided not to match.
But Moore didn't want to wait out the free agency process, signing his tender more than a month before the NFL's April15 deadline for teams to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets.
The more important date to Moore was Monday - the first day he could reconvene with Panthers' teammates in the offseason program.
"I'm excited," said Moore. "I've just got to be prepared to start the season the same way we finished last season.
"I've got to get better."
Moore led the Panthers to a 4-1 record in their final five games after Delhomme was sidelined with a broken right (throwing) hand. Moore threw eight touchdowns and one interception during that stretch to rally the Panthers to an 8-8 final record.
Moore said he, like most, was surprised by Carolina's decision to release Delhomme. Team officials wanted to assure there wouldn't be a quarterback controversy.
"To be honest, the thought (of Delhomme being cut) never crossed my mind," said Moore. "When it happened, it was a shock to me.
"I'm definitely sad to see Jake go. He's a good friend of mine and I appreciate everything he did for the team and me."
Now, Moore is waiting to see what the Panthers will do next to fill out their quarterback depth chart. They're expected to acquire someone who can not only serve as a backup but also possibly provide competition for the position.
"I know they've got to bring somebody in, possibly in the draft, (or) an older veteran, somebody to learn from, or somebody who's been around wouldn't be bad," said Moore.
"I'm excited to see who they get and move forward with whomever that is."
Moore said he doesn't plan to act any different around his teammates despite his new role.
"I don't think I have to change or be different, but just (be) reliable, perform, work hard and try to be as prepared as I possibly can for the season."
The mass exodus of veteran leaders leaves a void in the locker room that must be filled, but Moore said he doesn't question the moves team officials have made, even though he'll miss the players.
"I'm not going to second guess Mr. (Jerry) Richardson (the team owner), (general manager) Marty Hurney or anybody like that," said Moore. "Those guys know what they're doing. They have a vision of what they want, and I guess this is how they're getting there.
"We've got to move on, work with what we've got and be ready to go."
