NFL Insider’s List of Worst QB Rooms Points to Carolina Panthers’ Evolution
The Carolina Panthers have had a rough few years when it comes to quarterback play, and now an NFL insider has officially ranked them among the league’s worst QB rooms. But before fans panic, there’s a silver lining—this might actually be a sign of progress. The Panthers have been stuck in quarterback purgatory for a while, cycling through veterans, rookies, and everything in between without finding a true answer. However, with a new coaching staff, a young QB in Bryce Young, and a front office determined to build the right way, this ranking might just be the starting point of something better.
For years, the Panthers have struggled to find stability under center. Since Cam Newton’s peak, the team has seen a carousel of passers—from Kyle Allen to Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold to Baker Mayfield, and even a brief stint with P.J. Walker. None of them stuck, and the offense suffered because of it. Last season, the Panthers drafted Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick, hoping he’d be the long-term solution. But as any rookie QB would, he faced growing pains behind a shaky offensive line and a lack of elite weapons. The result? Another rough season, and now, an unflattering ranking among the NFL’s worst quarterback situations.
But here’s the thing—being labeled as having one of the worst QB rooms doesn’t necessarily mean doom. In fact, it might be the wake-up call the Panthers needed. The organization has already made significant changes, bringing in a new head coach, Dave Canales, who has a strong track record with quarterbacks. Canales worked wonders with Geno Smith in Seattle and helped Baker Mayfield revive his career in Tampa Bay. If anyone can get the most out of Bryce Young, it’s him. Beyond coaching, the Panthers have also been aggressive in upgrading the supporting cast, trading for Diontae Johnson and drafting receivers like Xavier Legette to give Young more firepower.
The NFL is a league of constant change, and quarterback situations can flip faster than most expect. Remember when the Houston Texans were considered a disaster at QB before C.J. Stroud’s breakout? Or how the Miami Dolphins went from Tua Tagovailoa doubters to believers in just one offseason? The Panthers could be on a similar path. Bryce Young was one of the most polished prospects in his draft class, praised for his poise, intelligence, and accuracy. If the Panthers can protect him and put the right pieces around him, there’s no reason he can’t take a major leap in Year 2.
Of course, none of this is guaranteed. Young still has to prove he can elevate his game at the NFL level, and the Panthers’ offensive line remains a question mark. But the fact that they’re being called out for having a weak QB room might actually be a good thing—it means the expectations are low, and the only way to go is up. The Panthers aren’t pretending they’re set at quarterback; they know they have work to do, and they’re making moves to fix it. That’s a far cry from past years when the team tried quick fixes that never panned out.
Fans might be frustrated by another negative headline, but the reality is that the Panthers are in a much better position now than they were a couple of years ago. They have a young QB with potential, a coach who knows how to develop passers, and a front office that’s finally building for the future instead of scrambling for short-term answers. The NFL insider’s ranking might sting today, but if things go right, it could be the starting point of a much brighter era for Carolina football. The evolution is just beginning.
