Carolina pulled out a 33-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, but that close win isn’t stopping the panic mode for some Panthers fans. Despite Haynes King’s five-yard touchdown in that game, the overall “generally bad preseason outing” has folks questioning everything, especially what they’ve seen from Bryce Young. One fan straight up asked what they could do about “dread” watching Young “stink up the field for the next two, maybe more, seasons.” Look, it’s just one preseason game, and these games are about reps, not real football, but the sentiment is out there and it’s loud.
Three QBs on the 53-Man Roster? That’s a Real Possibility
The Young worries lead right into the quarterback roster crunch. Most fans are predicting the Panthers will carry three QBs on the final 53-man roster, and after King’s Hall of Fame game performance, cutting him feels impossible. There’s just no way he’d clear waivers. It’s a tough spot because they’re already looking heavy at wide receiver and roster spots are tight. While the idea of cutting King and stashing him on the practice squad isn’t entirely off the table, the smart money is on keeping three QBs and trying to stash other depth pieces, like a wide receiver, cornerback, or linebacker, on the practice squad instead. Don’t expect Kenny Pickett to be moved, but nothing is completely out of the question either.
Defense and Emerging Talent: Who’s Got the Most to Gain?
Beyond the quarterback drama, the defense is also a hot topic. Fans are even questioning defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, asking if this is a “make or break year” for him. Honestly, why are we even talking about this? Last season, he managed a middle-of-the-pack defense despite having basically zero solid inside linebackers and no real pass rush. Now, with all the pieces they added this offseason, if the defense somehow gets worse, then yeah, maybe we talk. But that feels unlikely. What’s truly exciting is seeing who steps up in these remaining preseason games. Princely Umanmielen is a guy to watch. He’s basically the third edge rusher on the roster, so he could have a super important role as a designated pass rusher. Everyone needs to see if his offseason work actually shows up on the field. He absolutely has the most to gain. Keep an eye on the young defensive backs, too. Guys like Will Lee and Corey Thornton at cornerback, and Lathan Ransom and Zakee Wheatley at safety, are ready to prove themselves after being accumulated over the last couple of seasons.
The Panthers still have preseason games left, and these are huge for guys like Umanmielen and the young DBs. How these players perform could totally shape the final roster and set the tone for the entire season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Cat Scratch Reader.
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