The Carolina Panthers might not be interested in taking a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. When head coach Dave Canales was asked about the prospect by The Charlotte Observer this past week, he seemingly shot it down—citing all the work that goes into building up a rookie passer.

While they should not be looking to replace starter Bryce Young, the Panthers should be in the market for a better backup than Kenny Pickett—or at least someone who can compete with him for backup snaps.

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With that in mind, here are four options that the front office should take a look at . . .

Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)

Once considered the top quarterback prospect in his class, Nussmeier’s stock took a hit last season—as he played through an abdominal injury that took a toll on his production. After posting over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024, he managed just 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games last season.

Nevertheless, Nussmeier has more than enough upside to be worth a long look on Day 2.

Carson Beck (Miami)

After languishing on the bench at Georgia for three years, Beck finally got to start in 2023 and he took full advantage—leading the SEC with 3,941 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. After another year with the Bulldogs, he transferred to Miami—where he put up 3,813 yards and completed a remarkable 72.4% of his passes (second-best in the nation) last season.

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Beck still needs to learn how to handle pressure, but his size (6-foot-5, 233 pounds) and athleticism represent a solid base to build on.

Taylen Green (Arkansas)

If the Panthers are looking for pure athleticism, they won’t do any better than Green—who posted a near-perfect 9.99 Relative Athletic Score at the scouting combine. That included a 4.36-second forty-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump.

The 6-foot-6, 227-pounder racked up 34 touchdowns and 20 interceptions over the last two years after transferring from Boise State. Green added another 1,379 yards and 16 touchdowns as a rusher for the Razorbacks.

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Cade Klubnik (Clemson)

Last but not least, the Panthers could finally buck history and draft a Clemson player. But Klubnik represents the opposite end of the spectrum compared to Green.

A rhythm passer, Klubnik’s numbers fell off hard after a great 2024 season—going from 36 touchdowns and six picks to just 16 scores and six interceptions in 2025. Klubnik does have some legit rushing ability, with 17 career touchdowns on the ground.

If he’s still available late on Day 3, Klubnik may be worth a flyer.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: 4 QBs the Panthers should consider selecting