The Carolina Panthers walked into the 2026 season with a clear goal: shore up their backup quarterback situation. They made moves—signing free agent Kenny Pickett to a one-year deal, trading veteran Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles, and adding former third-round pick Will Grier along with undrafted free agent Haynes King behind starter Bryce Young. But as the old saying goes, action doesn't always equal improvement.
According to CBS Sports, the Panthers' revamped QB room currently ranks among the worst in the NFL—specifically, the ninth-worst quarterback unit in the league. That's a tough label for a team that snuck into the 2025 postseason as NFC South champions with an 8-9 record.
Bryce Young showed flashes of brilliance in the second half of last season, hinting at elite potential that could make him a top-15 passer on his best days. But his overall numbers were uneven—he posted the third-fewest passing yards by a playoff quarterback in the last 20 seasons, per CBS Sports Research. For the Panthers to climb out of these rankings, they'll need more consistency from their young signal-caller.
Behind Young, the picture gets murkier. Kenny Pickett steps in as the No. 2, but it's not clear he's a significant upgrade over Dalton. While he's not the worst backup in the league, the gap between him and the veteran he replaced is debatable.
Then there's Will Grier, who hasn't taken a regular-season snap since his rookie year with Carolina in 2019. In those two starts, he completed just 53.8 percent of his passes for 228 yards, with zero touchdowns and four interceptions—a resume that doesn't inspire confidence.
Haynes King, the 2025 ACC Player of the Year, brings intriguing rushing ability to the bottom of the depth chart. But he went undrafted for a reason, and how his game translates to the NFL remains a big question mark.
Add it all up, and you have a quarterback room that feels unsettled at best. For a team looking to build on a surprise playoff run, the Panthers have work to do—both on the field and in the depth chart—before this unit earns respect around the league.