March 6, 2026, 1:50 p.m. ET
The Carolina Panthers may not necessarily go too young in their search for a new backup quarterback.
According to multiple reports from Friday, the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to release quarterback Geno Smith before the start of the new league year. The two-time Pro Bowler, barring a trade, would hit free agency—and CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones connects Smith to an old friend in Panthers head coach Dave Canales . . .
Canales and Smith worked together in Seattle for three seasons, where the former served as the Seahawks’ passing game coordinator in 2020 and 2021 and their quarterbacks coach in 2022. That 2022 campaign still stands as the best of Smith’s career—as he passed for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and a league-leading 69.8-percent completion rate.
Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan has told reporters that he’s hoping to add competition—preferably a younger, mobile option—behind starting quarterback Bryce Young. Their current backup, 37-year-old Andy Dalton, is entering the final season of his contract with Carolina.
Smith, who’s coming off an NFL-worst 17 interceptions in 2025, will turn 36 years old in October.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.