Panthers QB Battle Is Clear

Related

The first few minutes of Carolina’s fourth preseason game quickly laid out what the Panthers look like they’re going to do at quarterback heading into the season.

Obviously, Cam Newton will be the starter as long as he’s healthy, but after Kyle Allen only played in the game’s opening series against Pittsburgh Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium, it was seemed crystal clear that Allen will enter as the team’s primary backup.

The benching of Allen signified two things: Carolina didn’t want him to risk getting injured in the off chance Newton is ready to go next Sunday against the L.A. Rams, and that they needed to get a lot of snaps for rookie Will Grier, who hasn’t exactly been stellar.

But Allen hasn’t looked great, either.

In 11 series over the course of four games, Allen failed to lead to the Panthers to a single touchdown. Moreover, the sum of his drives only resulted in two field goals. 

And by Allen being the team’s backup to Newton, the odd man out looks to be Taylor Heinicke, because it doesn’t seem probable that Carolina will keep four quarterbacks on its 53-man roster. 

When the Panthers drafted Grier in the third round in this year’s draft, it was evident that either Allen or Heinicke wouldn’t make the team. And when training camp started and Allen quickly emerged as second string, Heinicke immediately had an uphill battle to make the team.

All summer long the pecking order was Newton No. 1, Allen No. 2, Grier No. 3 and Heinicke No. 4.

That meant when Heinicke entered the preseason games, he was going to be playing alongside players that were going to be cut.

That makes it harder to impress the coaches because of the quality of talent he was surrounded by was substandard, whereas Allen was playing with guys most of whom will be there in Week 1.

Besides none of the three backups looking spectacular, the struggles of Grier might be some cause of concern for the Panthers brass.

Grier came out of West Virginia with a reputation as being a pure passer, but many of his throws have been way off the mark. He stared down his primary receivers way too long and he wasn’t quick in his decision making. 

It’s doubtful Grier will be called upon to play at any point this season, but stranger things have happened.

Grier may have made his best throw of the preseason late in the first half against the Steelers when he tossed a perfectly thrown 34-yard pass to Aldrick Robinson down the right sideline. Just before he let the ball go, Grier even stepped up in the pocket and stepped into the throw. It was a perfect strike.

But outside of that pass, there weren’t a lot of celebrations to be had by Allen, Grier or Heinicke this preseason.