There’s no doubt that the Carolina Panthers are looking to spruce up their quarterback room this offseason. But the question is—with whom?
Joe Person of The Athletic, fresh off his trip to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, just laid out some potential options for the backup role behind starter Bryce Young. In his column from Saturday morning, Person throws out a number of intriguing passers—including a pair of former top draft picks—who could knock veteran Andy Dalton off his spot on the depth chart.
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He writes:
Still, there are a handful of quarterbacks who are both younger and more mobile than the 38-year-old Dalton: Tyler Huntley, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson and Kenny Pickett. Tyrod Taylor, who was in the same 2011 draft class as Cam Newton and Dalton, is a veteran I think the Panthers would at least consider.
Wilson, the second overall selection of the 2021 NFL Draft, may be real possibility given his ties to new Panthers associate head coach and offensive specialist Darrell Bevell. Bevell served as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for Wilson in Miami this past season.
Lance, who was taken right after Wilson with the third pick in 2021, could fit the bill as well. The big-armed and fleet-footed 25-year-old picked up stops with the Dallas Cowboys (2023 to 2024) and the Los Angeles Chargers (2025) following his brief time in San Francisco.
Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan has publicly stated his desire to at least add competition for Dalton in 2026. Dalton, who will turn 39 years old in October, is entering the final year of his contract.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: Former top-3 picks among QB options for Panthers