Panthers GM Dan Morgan hints at big opportunity awaiting for UDFA QB Haynes King as training camp opens
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Haynes King will get plenty of opportunities to turn heads after the latest roster announcement made by general manager Dan Morgan.
The Carolina Panthers had a sudden shakeup to the team’s quarterback room last week when veteran backup Will Grier announced his retirement days before the start of training camp. On Wednesday, the Panthers fully reported back for the start of training camp, including the arrival of the three remaining quarterbacks.
General manager Dan Morgan spoke briefly with reporters on Wednesday and addressed Grier’s decision, along with the possibility of bringing in another arm for camp.
“No plans right now to bring in a fourth guy on,” Morgan explained. “Obviously, wish Will and his family the best in terms of his career and playing as long as he did. Just wish him the best moving forward.”
Will Grier’s retirement, and no plan for a new QB4, opens up a big opportunity for Haynes King
Following Grier’s retirement, the Panthers quarterback room consists of Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, and undrafted rookie Haynes King. It’s still a young and talented trio, but the idea of not adding a fourth camp arm is intriguing considering the Panthers will be playing four preseason games this season.
Ideally, you’d want to use your starter and backup as limited as possible during the preseason to avoid any injuries. Last year, the Panthers used four different quarterbacks throughout the three preseason games in Young (11 dropbacks), Andy Dalton (25 dropbacks), Bryce Perkins (16 dropbacks), and Jack Plummer (45 dropbacks).
Not adding a fourth quarterback for camp, even with the added preseason game in the Hall of Fame Game on August 6, opens up a big opportunity for King to turn some heads over the next few weeks.
With his dual-threat ability going back to his time at Georgia Tech, King will be a must-watch player throughout the preseason that will see plenty of action considering the Panthers will want to ideally be smart about using Young or Pickett.
“Haynes gives that feel, like he’s a pro mentally speaking, and now the challenge is how quickly can we get him caught up in all of our schemes and concepts,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said in the spring. “All the different things at the line of scrimmage, and right now he’s pouring himself into it, doing a great job.”
King isn’t just looking to be a guy that eats snaps in the preseason. He’s also looking to prove his talents can still be utilized on this roster, regardless of his place on the depth chart. Starting this week, he can begin showcasing all of those traits.
“At the end of the day, everybody kind of wants to play, and also Taysom Hill, he’s a pretty good athlete and a pretty good ballplayer as well. But I feel like, in my confidence, that I can play quarterback at this level,” King explained. “So, that’s my first goal is make it as a quarterback and do as best as I can.”