Frank Reich explains how Carolina Panthers will approach evaluating potential QBs
New Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich has an interesting decision to make at quarterback in his first year.
One of the biggest names on the free agent market is Derek Carr. The former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback visited the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets recently and the Panthers could be an option.
However, Reich did not confirm nor deny if Carolina would host Carr on a free agent visit.
“You know, interesting question,” Reich said. We’re really literally sitting down with the guys today (and our) first staff meeting will be tomorrow. But I’ve kind of met with guys individually saying, ‘Okay, here’s what we’re doing first. Step one is to evaluate our roster, you know, so we’re really just starting that process. So, step two, evaluate the free agents.
“Everybody’s got their list. Step three, now go into the college guys. So that process has literally begun so I’m really not ready to address the specifics of that because we’re really just beginning.”
Sam Darnold is an unrestricted free agent, so it is unclear if he’ll be back in Carolina. PJ Walker is a restricted free agent but is likely not the long term answer as well.
The only quarterback signed to the roster for 2023 at the moment is second-year man Matt Corral, a former Ole Miss star drafted by the team last spring.
Carr spent the entirety of his nine-year career to this point with the Raiders, but led them to just two playoff appearances in that span. He became a free agent with an opportunity to receive an even bigger payday than the $40.4 million he was set to receive if he stayed in Las Vegas.
But it is unknown if he’ll get that type of cash with his new team.
Carr left the Raiders as the franchise’s all-time leading passer with 35,222 yards, 217 touchdowns and 99 interceptions. He made four Pro Bowl appearances over his career including this past season. Carr threw for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as Las Vegas finished 6-11 in 2022.
Unlike most free agents, Carr will not have to wait until March to sign with his new team. His release from the Raiders enabled him to sign as soon as he wished.