Feb. 18, 2026, 3:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
Bryce Young may not be a certified “franchise guy” just yet, but he’s gotten the Carolina Panthers<\/a> a step closer to finally solving their longstanding quarterback conundrum. The former No. 1 overall pick emerged in an eye-opening 10-game run<\/a> to close out the 2024 campaign, then helped break<\/a> a franchise-record playoff drought in 2025.<\/p>\n Even still, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan will be looking to strengthen the depth chart under center.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we have to explore every option, whether in free agency or in the draft,\u201d Morgan told The Charlotte Observer last month. \u201cAnd get some young, more developmental guys. And ideally, they\u2019re athletic, so they can run around, escape, make plays with their legs \u2014 you know, cause that\u2019s the way the league is trending nowadays. So, yeah, we\u2019ll explore every avenue there.\u201d<\/p>\n So, what avenues could be open for Morgan and Carolina this offseason?<\/p>\n Here are four intriguing quarterback options the Panthers could explore in the coming weeks . . .<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a>Anthony Richardson<\/p>\n A breakout 2025 season from Daniel Jones seems to have spelled the end<\/a> of Richardson’s time in Indianapolis. Now, the Colts may trade 2023’s No. 4 overall pick\u2014who has appeared in just 17 games over his three-year NFL career.<\/p>\n While Indy would probably look to move their high-potential, dual-threat passer to a team that’ll value him as a potential starter, a preference that might warrant a relatively expensive price tag, Richardson fits the profile of what Morgan is interested in at the position. He possesses great size at 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, tremendous arm strength and exceptional mobility.<\/p>\n Richardson needs developing\u2014as his inexperience from the college level, where he made only 13 starts, and accuracy issues have bled into the pros. So he could be an appealing project for the Panthers, who did their homework<\/a> on the University of Florida standout ahead of his draft.<\/p>\n Trey Lance<\/p>\n Lance is also an impressive specimen who has yet to sniff his ceiling. And the former third overall pick and soon-to-be free agent, who turns 26 years old in May, still has time to figure himself out.<\/p>\n Like Richardson, Lance could marinate a bit as a second- or third-stringer in Carolina. He can also serve as a short-yardage option in rushing or sneak situations\u2014a role the 5-foot-10, 205-pound Young cannot physically fulfill<\/a>.<\/p>\n Zach Wilson<\/p>\n We’ve highlighted a former fourth overall pick, a former third overall pick and now\u2014a former second overall pick.<\/p>\n Although Wilson doesn’t carry the size, the arm or overall potency that Richardson or Lance does, he is an agile athlete who can extend plays with his legs. He also spent this past season under new Panthers offensive specialist<\/a> Darrell Bevell, Miami’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2022 to 2025.<\/p>\n Russell Wilson<\/p>\n