Panthers QB spotlight: Impending free agents, possible targets, draft outlook
The Carolina Panthers have had a turnstile at quarterback during the past three years. With new head coach Frank Reich, a former NFL quarterback, now leading the charge, the Panthers are hoping to find a long-term solution at the position.
Entering the offseason, the Panthers are set up for another blank slate at quarterback. With Sam Darnold set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, the future of the position is more up in the air than before. Backup quarterback PJ Walker, a mainstay of the Matt Rhule era, is set to become a restricted free agent in March, and his future is also undetermined.
Reich and GM Scott Fitterer will have some important decisions to make at the position in the coming months. While it’s possible that Darnold or Walker could stick around, the Panthers are likely to focus on free agency and the draft to find their long-term signal-caller.
Impending free agents
Sam Darnold
Darnold started the final six games of this past season, leading the Panthers to a 4-2 record down the stretch.
While he shined as a game manager in his first four starts, his career-long turnover issues reappeared during the final matchups of the campaign. A trio of turnovers from Darnold (one interception, two lost fumbles) played a major role in the Week 17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which ultimately cost the Panthers a shot at the playoffs. Darnold completed 58.6% of his passes for 1,143 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions on the season. He also ran for 106 yards and two rushing scores.
Amid the ups and downs, Darnold showed some growth as a pocket passer following his recovery from a high ankle sprain. Despite the departure of the previous regime, Darnold could be appealing to Reich as a veteran stop-gap starter. Darnold fits the mold of a Reich quarterback, as he has a strong arm and above-average pocket mobility.
PJ Walker (RFA)
Walker made the first five starts of Steve Wilks’ interim head coach tenure. During that stretch, Walker completed 59.4% of his passes for 731 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. The Panthers were 2-3 during Walker’s stint as a starter.
While Wilks is gone, Walker actually has a history with Reich. Walker spent the first three years of his professional career on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad. The final two years of that stretch were spent under Reich’s leadership. Given that history, Walker could look to stick around as a veteran backup.
Last season, Walker showed he belonged in the NFL as a solid backup option. He knows Reich’s offense and has a long history with the young Carolina locker room. While a “right of first refusal” restricted tender could be pricey (it was worth $2.13 million in 2022), Walker could be a relative bargain for a backup quarterback if Reich chooses to bring in a proven starter at the position.
Under contract
Matt Corral
Corral is an unknown at this point.
The Panthers traded up in the third round of last year’s draft to select him, but he sustained a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury in the preseason before he could really prove himself. Outside of a few flashes in last year’s exhibition slate, Corral essentially redshirted his rookie year.
Corral threw for 8,287 yards, 57 touchdowns and 23 interceptions during his four-year college career at Ole Miss. He had some buzz during last year’s draft and the front office liked him to enough to be aggressive in pursuing him on Day 2 of the draft. But with the previous staff no longer around, Corral’s standing in the lineup is hard to figure out.
Corral will need to prove himself to Reich and his staff immediately, both on and off the field. Either way, he’s likely to see major competition this offseason.
Jacob Eason
Eason spent a few weeks backing up Walker during this past season. Eason was elevated from the practice squad to serve as injury insurance for Walker. He was waived from the practice squad later in the season and bounced around a bit before re-signing with Carolina in January on a future/reserve deal.
Eason was actually drafted by Reich and the Colts in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Eason lasted a couple of seasons in Indianapolis before being claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks. Eason’s knowledge of Reich’s offense could help him stick around as a deep reserve on the depth chart.
Draft outlook
Bryce Young - Alabama
The Alabama star is likely to be selected within the top three picks in April. While Young is relatively small for an NFL quarterback (5-foot-10, 194 pounds), his toughness, elusiveness and leadership are qualities that could help him overcome his physical shortcomings.
Young, 21, is a former Heisman Trophy winner, who led the Crimson Tide to a national title in 2020. In order to nab Young as their franchise quarterback, the Panthers would probably need to trade with the Chicago Bears for the first overall pick.
C.J. Stroud - Ohio State
Stroud is a logical fit for Reich because of his arm talent and pocket mobility. Stroud, 21, threw for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions this past season for Ohio State.
Listed as 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Stroud is the prototypical size for an NFL quarterback and that could help him leap Young in the draft pecking order. The Panthers would need to pursue a trade-up scenario to land Stroud.
Will Levis - Kentucky
Coming off an up-and-down final season at Kentucky, Levis is one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s draft. Scouts were impressed by his breakout junior year, but Levis will need to answer questions about his struggles as a senior. Levis also turned down the opportunity to take part in this year’s Senior Bowl furthering the debate on his positioning for the upcoming draft.
In November, The Observer reported that Levis was squarely on the Panthers’ radar as a quarterback of interest. Levis (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) also fits the profile of some of Reich’s previous signal-calling pupils.
Anthony Richardson - Florida
Richardson is another polarizing quarterback prospect. While Richardson has been labeled as a project at the position, NFL scouts from two different teams told The Observer in January that he has the highest upside of any quarterback in the class.
The Florida Gators signal-caller had modest numbers during his college career, but his athleticism is unquestioned in NFL circles. The 6-foot-4, 232-pound quarterback might be an intriguing protege for Reich, especially if he decides to bring in a veteran stop-gap starter in free agency.
Potential free agent options
Daniel Jones — New York Giants
While Jones is likely to be franchise-tagged by the Giants, he could appeal to Reich and the Panthers if he hits the open market. His numbers — 11,603 passing yards, 60 touchdowns and 34 interceptions over four years — won’t open a lot of eyes, but his dual-threat nature could be appealing to Carolina.
Jones is also a Charlotte native and coming home to could entice him to take less money with the hometown franchise. After leading the Giants to a playoff win, Jones has some momentum for a massive contract.
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett played under Reich for three seasons in Indianapolis. Brissett, a dual-threat journeyman quarterback, would be a strong bridge starter if the Panthers decided to go all-in on a first-round rookie quarterback. Brissett spent this past season in Cleveland starting in place of a suspended Deshaun Watson for 11 games.
While Brissett’s one-year stop with the Browns wasn’t an overwhelming success, he did throw for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions during his stint as a starter. He completed 64% of his passes and ran for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Given his experience with Reich, Brissett could be a logical veteran presence in the quarterback room as a culture-setter.
Taylor Heinicke
Heinicke would be a veteran “competition” addition. Heinicke has gained plenty of experience during the past two seasons in Washington, and he could push a veteran like Brissett in a summer battle. He could also serve as a bridge starter in front of a first-round rookie.
While Heinicke — who played for the Panthers in 2018 — probably wouldn’t return to town with much fanfare, he’s a solid veteran who knows his way around the building. He has a career completion percentage of 63.9% which is a major upgrade from last season’s group. He’s also thrown for 32 touchdowns over his past 25 starts.
This story was originally published February 13, 2023 at 5:45 AM.
