Feb. 13, 2026, 1:30 p.m. ET
A longtime Carolina Panthers beat reporter might believe the smoke around some fire.
During his end-of-year press conference last month, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan entertained the idea of bringing on a new quarterback this offseason. Morgan told reporters that he and his staff strive to add competition at every position—and that the spot under center, despite Bryce Young’s strong 2025 campaign, is no exception.
Well, Joe Person of The Athletic explored that possibility in his first seven-round 2026 mock draft for Carolina. And with their fifth-round pick for this spring, he selected Taylen Green out of the University of Arkansas.
Person writes:
Green won’t remind anyone of Young: He measured 6-6 and weighed 229 pounds at the Senior Bowl. Green’s big arm is a bit of a loose cannon, with 20 interceptions over his two seasons with the Razorbacks. That wouldn’t jibe well with Canales’ “all about the ball” philosophy.
Teams have been impressed with Green’s talent and his character, but it may be that he’s more of a project than what Morgan wants to take on.
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Green split his five-year collegiate career between Arkansas (2024 and 2025) and Boise State (2021 to 2023). This past season saw him throw for 2,714 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 777 yards and eight scores.
The Panthers have entered the 2026 offseason with just two quarterbacks under contract—Young and veteran backup Andy Dalton. Dalton, who turns 39 years old in October, will be on the final season of his current deal.
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