A New Backup QB in Carolina?
There are several pressing needs for Dan Morgan and Dave Canales to address this offseason and quarterback is not one of them. Bryce Young is the guy they're going to build around (obviously) and Andy Dalton is under contract through the 2024 season to serve as his backup.
However, the new regime could decide to throw another quarterback in the mix and perhaps give Young a new, younger backup.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, "Watch for Lock in Carolina. He has strong ties to new coach Dave Canales."
Just about anyone with ties to the new head coach will be linked to Carolina in some capacity, but I find it interesting that Lock is being mentioned despite the Panthers already having a solid veteran backing up Young. There is no indication as to whether this means Carolina would move on from Dalton or carry three quarterbacks. The latter seems very unlikely.
Dalton has a base salary of $4 million in 2024. Cutting him would result in $5.8 million in dead money while only saving $901k against the cap, so it's not really a logical move to part ways with the Red Rifle. If anything, Lock could come in on a cheap, one-year deal to compete with Dalton but I'm not sure it makes a ton of sense to do that for either Lock or the Panthers.
In 28 career games (23 starts), Lock has thrown for 5,283 yards and 28 touchdowns to 23 interceptions while completing 59.7% of his passes.
