Carolina Panthers Not Expected to Pursue Big Ticket Quarterback

The Carolina Panthers and their new head coach Frank Reich don't appear to be searching for an easy fix at the quarterback position. ESPN's David Newton does not expect the team to pursue a high-priced quarterback this offseason.

What are the Panthers' top offseason roster needs, beyond QB? - via @ESPN App https://t.co/G0vE6nJARs

— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) February 7, 2023

Newton posits that the Panthers won't chase a quarterback because they presently sit nearly $8 million over the 2023 salary cap, per overthecap.com. That won't necessarily stop other passer-needy teams: the Saints have scheduled a visit with Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, and they're currently a league-leading $60 million over the cap.

The Panthers could have won the NFC South with better quarterback play last year; they finished one game behind the division-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker, and Jacob Eason combining for a mere 176.2 net passing yards per game.

As close as they came to the playoffs in 2022, the Panthers are right not to rush their rebuild. They remain at least a year or two from true contention. No veteran quarterback that's available would change that.