ESPN makes suggestion for the quarterback the Carolina Panthers should sign to back up Bryce Young in 2025
The Carolina Panthers will be in the market for a new No. 2 quarterback this offseason with Andy Dalton, who will turn 38 next season, set to hit free agency in March. Bringing Dalton back would be the ideal move for the Panthers as it would allow the franchise to keep some continuity going in […]
The Carolina Panthers will be in the market for a new No. 2 quarterback this offseason with Andy Dalton, who will turn 38 next season, set to hit free agency in March.
Bringing Dalton back would be the ideal move for the Panthers as it would allow the franchise to keep some continuity going in the quarterback room in what will be an important offseason for starter Bryce Young.
If Dalton doesn't return to Carolina in 2025, ESPN's Ben Solak has a suggestion for the Panthers — sign former first round draft pick Zach Wilson.
From ESPN: The Panthers will run it back with quarterback Bryce Young in 2025 given his strong finish to the season, but they'd be wise to get another dice roll at QB2 if things go left for him. What about Zach Wilson, who is a free agent and plays a similar game to Young as an undersized, creative and mobile quarterback? He would be the right sort of gamble.
Wilson could certainly be an interesting option for the Panthers. Dalton is the better choice, simply because of the relationship he already has with Young and head coach Dave Canales, but Wilson is a talented player who got off to a bad start in the NFL in part because he was playing for a bad franchise (the New York Jets).
The former BYU standout spent the 2024 season with the Denver Broncos where he undoubtedly grew as a player while playing for head coach Sean Payton.
Wilson didn't see any action in 2024 thanks to the emergence of rookie Bo Nix, but it was still likely a year of positive growth for the former No. 2 overall draft pick.
Taking a chance on Wilson may not be a bad idea for the Panthers. It could certainly be a low risk/high reward type signing. Bringing Dalton back, however, should be Plan A for the Panthers this offseason.
