Carolina Panthers Positional Preview: Quarterback

The Carolina Panthers have a problem at quarterback. None of the signal-callers is a lock to be under center when the season starts. Cam Newton is a proven star when healthy. As it stands, being healthy has been a major issue for the 30-year-old as of late. His primary backup, Kyle Allen, showed some promise filling in when Newton went down with a Lisfranc injury. This showing from Allen Also showed his limitations as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Third-string rookie Will Grier even made a handful of starts. He struggles to make plays and was benched. Kyle Allen once again took over the offense.

Cam Newton’s Future

Cam Newton is one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in NFL history. He is beloved by the Panthers organization. However, he is hated by Everyone else. He is better than any quarterback on the roster, but several factors have led to Newton’s future being in real doubt in Carolina.

Cam Newton is 30 years old this season. He has taken a decade’s worth of punishment, being sacked the 12th most of any active quarterback.

This means Newton’s body is breaking down. He has not played a full season since 2016, and his contract will play another huge role in whether or not Newton returns to the team next season. Carolina would save 19 million against the cap versus only two million in dead money, so cutting him is a viable choice if they want to truly rebuild.

Kyle Allen Is Not the Answer…

Allen is the quarterback in this group with an obvious role. He is a high-level backup. He is a quarterback who will step in and do an acceptable job if your starter goes down as he did in 2019.

Allen is an athletic pocket passer with good arm strength and not much else. He filled in for Newton much of the season and largely to a mixed bag of results. He oftentimes struggled with accuracy and checked down to Christian McCaffrey too much. Allen will return in 2020 as an understudy.

… But Neither is Will Grier

Will Grier regressed. He struggled with everything he did well in college. This came at a time when the Panthers were evaluating youth on their roster. Will Grier will be a camp arm in 2020.

Who Else Can Step In?

Carolina will add a quarterback to the roster this offseason. There will be options for them in both free agency and the draft, the key will be finding one Joe Brady can get the most out of. Free agency will feature less talent than the draft, and an organization amidst a rebuild like the Panthers.

They will look towards the future and try to find a franchise signal-caller in April’s draft.
Whoever is the starter in 2020, they will have more weapons to work with than Carolina has had in a long time.

This coupled with an exciting offensive coach like Joe Brady will do wonders for whoever takes the helm for the Carolina Panthers.

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