The Carolina Panthers are heading into the offseason with a sense of optimism, having secured confirmation that Bryce Young is their quarterback of the future. After being benched earlier in the season, Young regained the starting role in Week 8 and showed steady progress throughout the remainder of the year. While his numbers were not spectacular, Young finished the 2024 season with 2,403 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Moving forward, the Panthers’ priority will be to surround Young with more talent to help him thrive in his third season. However, with Andy Dalton set to become a free agent, the team will also need to find a reliable backup quarterback.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak speculated that the Panthers could sign Zach Wilson as a potential backup to Young. Wilson, a free agent, has had a challenging career so far, spending three years with the New York Jets before being traded to the Denver Broncos prior to the 2024 draft. Despite his struggles, Wilson shares a similar playing style to Young, as both are mobile, creative quarterbacks who are somewhat undersized. The idea of bringing Wilson into Carolina would provide the team with a solid backup option while also giving him the chance to learn and grow under the tutelage of the Panthers’ coaching staff.
Wilson’s stint with the Broncos in 2024, where he learned behind quarterbacks Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham, allowed him the opportunity to reset his career. Moving to a backup role with the Panthers could be a crucial step in his development and might eventually set him up for another shot at a starting position elsewhere in the future. If the Panthers do pursue Wilson, they would have an intriguing quarterback room, featuring both the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks from their respective drafts, creating a compelling dynamic as they look to build a winning team around Bryce Young.
