Will the Panthers Consider Another QB After Bryce Young’s Bench? Evaluating Top Draft Options for 2025
Dave Canales’ response was telling.
Just a day after affirming that Bryce Young would continue as the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, Canales changed his mind on Monday. He announced that the team would bench the No. 1 pick from the 2023 NFL draft. Initially, there was uncertainty surrounding the decision. Did the Panthers insert veteran Andy Dalton to offer Young a brief respite following an 0-2 start? Or did this decision reflect the young quarterback’s struggles and future with the team?
“After reviewing the game film and considering everything, I believe Andy gives us the best chance to win,” Canales stated.
In Canales’ view, prioritizing the team’s short-term competitiveness over the long-term potential of their costly investment—having traded away promising WR DJ Moore along with two first-round and two second-round picks to acquire the first overall pick—may have been necessary. However, this marks a significant shift for the franchise compared to its mindset just a few months ago.
When Canales was brought on board in January, his main appeal was his success in revitalizing struggling quarterbacks, such as Geno Smith with the Seattle Seahawks and Baker Mayfield with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This expertise was particularly attractive to a team that faced a rough debut season for Young, which culminated in the firing of head coach Frank Reich after only 11 games, alongside Young’s disappointing 73.7 passer rating. At Canales’ first press conference, he seemed to grasp the reason for his hiring.
“We intend to build around what Bryce excels at in the passing game,” Canales noted. “We’ll develop according to his capacity.”
However, just two games into the season, there’s been no noticeable improvement. The troubling reality is that there’s scant evidence suggesting Young can excel in any segment of the passing game at the professional level.
Furthermore, the team’s offensive struggles can’t be solely blamed on the supporting cast. Despite the acquisition of two expensive offensive guards—Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis—Young appears anxious in the pocket. The wide receiver group was revamped to bolster Young’s options, with Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette joining Adam Thielen, aiming to create better separation. However, during a disheartening 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Thielen’s visible frustration came to light when he was open but not targeted on a third-quarter route.
When asked about the disappointing number of downfield passes post-game, Johnson replied, “We’re all surprised.”
Thielen further emphasized that the offensive issues were pervasive and not just “a Bryce Young problem.” However, Canales’ decision to bench Young suggests that the two concerns might not be entirely separate.
There’s little clarity regarding the Panthers’ direction beyond their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but this ambiguity likely reflects Young’s precarious status given his prior significance to the franchise. With many games yet to unfold this season, a chance for Young to reclaim the starting role isn’t totally out of the question. However, the team has evidently reached a critical juncture. As seen with the New York Jets’ experience with Zach Wilson, being sidelined momentarily rarely resolves deeper issues.
What does this mean for the Panthers’ quarterback situation moving forward? Unless Young manages to rebuild trust with the organization, they might need to look for a significant upgrade in the offseason. The free-agent market appears limited, with Sam Darnold potentially being the best available option—a player who may be hesitant to return to the franchise where he struggled from 2021-22, despite a change in leadership.
The lack of immediate solutions may steer the Panthers back to the 2025 draft.
Selecting another quarterback so soon after having invested heavily in Young isn’t ideal, especially with so many gaps on the roster. However, the Panthers’ aggressive move for Young stemmed from previous attempts to stabilize the position, which failed with Darnold, Mayfield, and Teddy Bridgewater. While this draft class may not showcase standout quarterbacks like last year’s, several candidates possess different playing styles compared to Young and could help facilitate a smoother transition.
Below are five potential quarterback targets for the Panthers if they do decide to search for a new signal-caller in the 2025 NFL draft:
2025 NFL Draft Prospects for Panthers’ QB Position
1. Quinn Ewers, Texas
The former top recruit didn’t have the overwhelming impact many expected, having redshirted at Ohio State before transferring and delivering a lackluster debut at Texas in 2022. However, Ewers has shown consistent improvement since then, and his upward trajectory seems poised to continue this fall. Assessing a college quarterback’s arm strength can be tricky, but Ewers stands out in this domain, demonstrating an exceptional capacity for deep throws and tight-window completions that is nearly unmatched at his level. At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, he boasts a strong physical presence.
2. Carson Beck, Georgia
Beck is currently viewed as the leading candidate to be the first quarterback selected in April’s draft, continuing to build on the promise he exhibited in his inaugural season as a starter. This year, he has completed 68.3% of his passes, throwing seven touchdowns without any interceptions across three games. Standing at 6-4 and weighing 220 pounds, he has the ability to enhance the Panthers’ offense with his aggressive approach, excelling particularly in the middle of the field through his excellent timing and accuracy. However, his effectiveness when under pressure or out of sync raises concerns, as he’s benefitted from a talented Bulldogs team. Still, he could flourish under Canales’s guidance as a consistent pocket passer.
3. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
In recent years, few quarterback prospects have operated under as challenging conditions as Sanders, who has been the driving force for Colorado without any credible run game or offensive line support. His performance has faced struggles, as evidenced by having the most sacks (52) in the Football Bowl Subdivision last season. However, his calm demeanor and accuracy make him an intriguing choice for a team looking to rebuild. That said, Deion Sanders mentioned regarding his son’s potential NFL draft options that, “there are certain cities that just aren’t going to be a fit it would be an Eli (Manning) type situation.” Given the Panthers’ significant challenges, it raises the question of whether the Sanders family would consider this an acceptable destination.
4. Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)
As we dive into the wild-card realm with a group of less proven quarterbacks, starting with Ward is fitting. Having transferred from Incarnate Word and Washington State, Ward is the most exciting name on this list due to his quick release, strong arm, and ability to play off-platform. Despite being more of a project than some may prefer for a fifth-year starter, the 6-2, 223-pound quarterback has had an impressive start this season with the Hurricanes, completing 73% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and just one interception. While there are moments of questionable decision-making, his dynamic skill set would certainly energize a Carolina offense searching for direction.
5. Drew Allar, Penn State
Allar, a former five-star recruit, had an inconsistent first season as a starter in 2023, notably struggling in significant games. Yet, this season, he seems revitalized under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and his bold offensive scheme. Should Allar continue to improve, NFL teams would find him appealing due to his 6-5, 238-pound frame and impressive arm strength, which has drawn unfair comparisons to Josh Allen. While he will need coaching to develop better consistency, he would present a high-reward option for the Panthers.
Other NFL Draft QB Candidates for Panthers
Jaxson Dart, Mississippi
Though the early competition has been manageable, the 6-2, 225-pound USC transfer has excelled against his first three opponents, achieving an impressive 83% completion rate with 1,172 yards—the best in the FBS—along with eight touchdowns. However, his future prospects depend on how he performs against stronger opponents in the Southeastern Conference.
Conner Weigman, Texas A&M
A foot injury kept this former five-star recruit sidelined for most of 2023, and his initial comeback has not been promising. Weigman struggled in the season’s opening loss to Notre Dame and faced an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. Nevertheless, the 6-3, 215-pound talent boasts an exciting array of physical skills, despite limited experience.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
The son of Eagles quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, Garrett won’t lack for recognition within NFL circles. He has shown promise in stepping in for Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels but still has much to prove in shaping his draft prospects.
