Dan Morgan’s comments hint the Panthers could continue adding to a key position in the 2026 NFL Draft despite recent moves made in free agency

The Carolina Panthers might not be done adding to the quarterback room.

Kole Noble — Chicago Bears News Writer
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Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs on field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs on field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan put in a lot of work over the last two weeks of free agency to improve the team’s 2025 playoff roster with new and exciting pieces on both sides of the ball.

The one position with the biggest change from 2025 to 2026 will arguably be the quarterback position behind Bryce Young after signing former first-round pick Kenny Pickett and trading away veteran backup Andy Dalton.

“Andy’s a guy that we hold in high regard here,” Morgan said. “He really helped Bryce come along as a rookie and into his third year. So, Andy just, he brought a lot to our franchise. I can’t thank him enough for what he brought and just the type of man he is as well. So I definitely wish him the best.”

Morgan made it clear that the Panthers wanted to get younger and more athletic at the position and making those two moves was a step in the right direction. And perhaps there’s another move coming next month to add another player to the mix at quarterback.

Panthers GM Dan Morgan hints another addition could be made to the QB room

“Heading into the draft, I think there’s going to be options there, whether they’re the best player at the time, is yet to be seen. But if we have the opportunity to add another young guy to the mix, we’ll do that,” Morgan added.

Adding in a rookie quarterback to the room makes sense and would be a wise decision. The staff likely wants another player to develop long-term and Pickett frankly isn’t that kind of player given his previous starting experience, but he does give the team a capable player in case Young goes down.

“Adding Kenny Pickett, I feel like, you know adding a mobile quarterback, I think in this league, mobility, I think is big in this league,” Morgan explained. “So I think adding a guy like Kenny Pickett that can move outside the pocket if he needs to, create with his legs if he needs to, I think those are all things that were really intriguing to us.”

Pickett only signed a one-year contract with the Panthers and is eager to join a supportive staff and take a backseat. After the season, Pickett admitted he saw how a situation helped players like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Daniel Jones get back on their feet and how he could do the same to reestablish his career after the 2026 season.

“Of course,” Pickett said. “That’s the ultimate goal. You just keep working because you never know when that opportunity is going to come.”

With that being a real possibility, the Panthers would need another quarterback in the waiting to step up as the backup in 2027. Drafting a player to develop next month is a good way to go about that.

Quarterback prospects to consider for the Panthers in the 2026 NFL Draft include Taylen Green, Haynes King, and/or Garrett Nussmeier.

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