Panthers have no clear upgrades at quarterback but the combine is providing options

The minutes turned into hours.

Kenny Pickett was late. Scheduled to speak at a 10 a.m. press conference Wednesday morning, the former Pitt Panther and potential No. 1 quarterback taken in this year’s draft, didn’t arrive at his podium inside the Indiana Convention Center until noon. His medicals ran long, according to an NFL spokesman.

Like a famous poet once said, “you should be honored by my lateness.” Those who waited were.

Pickett talked for 10 minutes about similar topics fellow prospects Sam Howell and Malik Willis already had covered. He was coy about what teams he met with, explained why he’s the best in class and laughed off concerns surrounding his hand size. Then he was whisked away to parts unknown.

Pickett’s morning is an example of what the combine is actually about. The press conferences and workouts are window dressing. The real information moves in the shadows of Indianapolis. From hotel lobbies, low-key meetings rooms and late-night dinners, the combine is about what isn’t seen.

That’s exactly where the Panthers are formulating their quarterback plans.

A few hours after Pickett, Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer spoke to the media. He’s confident a franchise-caliber player will be available when the Panthers select at No. 6, whether that’s an offensive tackle, quarterback or defensive player. Later in the evening, the Panthers made coach Matt Rhule available for questions.

Rhule said the offense is taking shape under new coordinator Ben McAdoo. The unknowns remain at quarterback, but that’s why Carolina hired McAdoo, Rhule said, because of his background developing them. Sam Darnold is under contract for nearly $19 million. Carolina signed P.J. Walker shortly after the season ended but he’s no lock to make the final roster.

Carolina will add another quarterback either via free agency, a trade or the draft. They are desperate for an upgrade. But after two days at the NFL Scouting Combine, it’s becoming clear that there is no obvious solution.

Can the Panthers find a veteran?

“You can sleep better at night,” Fitterer said of rostering a star quarterback. “It’s not like you can’t win a Super Bowl with a good starting quarterback. You don’t need to have the elite guy. And I think you’ve seen that over time. But you need to surround them with players that can compensate for some of their weaknesses — maybe some receivers or a running back or an offensive line where you can protect him more.”

It’s going to be challenging for the Panthers to acquire a star quarterback. Russell Wilson is not available. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said “We’re not shopping our quarterback.” Aaron Rodgers likely won’t leave Green Bay. On Tuesday, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he isn’t getting trade offers for Rodgers.

Trading for Deshaun Watson is impossible until at least April, when Watson should learn if he has to plead to a felony indictment. If he doesn’t then the league will then decide his punishment under its personal conduct policy.

For different reasons, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr are all unsure solutions. The 49ers’ announced Garoppolo is having shoulder surgery. He’s expected back in July but that makes trading for him before the new league year unlikely. New Raiders coach Josh McDaniels endorsed Carr at the combine as his starter. And Cousins earned similar praise from his new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Fitterer also said Cam Newton is the first person he’ll speak to once they make a decision at quarterback.

“We always said after the season,” Fitterer said. “When we need to come close to making a decision. We’d have a discussion and we’d talk in person first before we share anything.”

It is smokescreen season. Coaches and executives will say one thing and act differently days later. The best quarterbacks aren’t made available for trade. Quarterbacks with high cap hits who are available are being shopped for a reason. Rhule and Fitterer know the Panthers are not a quarterback away from winning a Super Bowl. Instead, both spoke about a long-term commitment to winning in Carolina by valuing the offensive line, special teams and quality coaching equally.

Yet, Carolina selecting at No. 6 gifts Fitterer and Rhule another shot at selecting a blue-chip rookie quarterback.

“We’re gonna look at all of these quarterbacks that are here,” Rhule said. “There’s going to be a narrative about the strength of the class and all those things. History says that there probably is a quarterback that comes out here and is a franchise quarterback.”

Should Carolina draft a rookie quarterback?

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral was on time. At 8 a.m., he opened interviews with confidence and poise. He isn’t working out at the combine. An ankle injury that held him out of the Senior Bowl last month isn’t ready yet.

He’ll compete at his Pro Day on March 24. Until then, he’s using his time with teams at the combine to showcase his football mind and leadership skills. Like the other quarterbacks in Indy, Corral believes he’s best in class. He’s got reason to think so.

In 2021, he threw for 3,342 yards, rushed for 614 and totaled 31 TDs. He’s only 6-feet tall but his athleticism helps him create off-script plays and designed runs.

“I want to be on a team 10-plus years as a franchise quarterback,” Corral said. “I want to be a sponge and absorb as much information as I can.”

Corral won’t command a top-six selection but if the Panthers trade back he would be in the mix.

Howell would love to keep playing football in North Carolina. He also doesn’t care if he’s drafted elsewhere. He wants a chance to compete for a starting spot or learn behind a savvy veteran.

Coming out of a spread offense, Howell’s impressive as dual-threat quarterback and throws well on the run. He’s a good creator with excellent vision. As a pro, he’ll have to run less than this past season, when he shouldered a bulk of the Tar Heels’ rushing responsibilities. He led the team in carries (183) and was second in rushing yards (828) and touchdowns (11).

As a thrower, he may have the best arm in the class. At the Senior Bowl, he demonstrated velocity and control regardless of throwing conditions. He’ll be a quality pro but like Corral, will not be considered at No. 6. Standing 6-0, Howell knows who he’ll have to emulate to be a No. 1.

“Even though (Drew Brees) is a shorter guy,” Howell said, “he can make every single throw on the field. You could tell he’s really good at processing information.”

The Panthers are familiar with all these quarterbacks. They spoke with Howell, Corral, Willis, Pickett, Carson Strong, Desmond Ridder and Bailey Zappe at the Senior Bowl. The combine allows time for more high-ranking team members to meet with prospects.

Pickett said he enjoyed visiting with the coach who originally recruited him to Temple University after Rhule did not attend the Senior Bowl.

“It was cool seeing him,” he said. “I haven’t seen him in a long time. Obviously smiles when we first saw each other walk into the room. So we kind of picked up where we left off. Great guy. Awesome reconnecting.

Liberty’s Malik Willis nailed his press conference. No quarterback prospect performed poorly but none of them solicited comic relief while remaining alpha quite like Willis.

He’s an exciting prospect for many reasons. Willis or Pickett are the top two quarterback prospects. They couldn’t be more different on-field products. Fitterer recognizes that reality and embraces the evaluation process that will continue through April.

“The good part is McAdoo can adjust his offense. The similar traits they have is they’re great competitors. They can do different things,” Fitterer said. “Pickett does have mobility, he can run. Willis is an excellent runner. Pickett’s more polished as a pocket passer, and Malik has all the arm talent in the world. It’s like which one do you want, which one do you want to mold, and you’ll fit your offense to the quarterback.”

Talking is one thing. Throwing is what matters. All quarterback prospects besides Corral are scheduled to throw during their on-field workouts at 4 p.m. Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

This story was originally published March 3, 2022 at 8:00 AM.

Ellis L. Williams

The Charlotte Observer

Hailing from Minnesota, Ellis L. Williams joined the Observer in October 2021 to cover the Carolina Panthers. Prior, he spent two years reporting on the Browns for Cleveland.com/the Plain Dealer. Having escaped cold winters, he’s thrilled to consume football, hoops, music and movies within the Queen City.