By: Sam Goldfarb
On the surface, it appears the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback situation is largely set. Fresh off a
frustrating 5-11 season that featured a devastating run of 8 losses in their final 10 games, the
Panthers dealt multiple draft picks in early April for former New York Jets starter Sam Darnold.
Trading veteran leader Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos later that month all but
confirmed the organization’s commitment to Darnold, with the 2018 third-overall pick set to lead
the Carolina offense in 2021.
However, Darnold’s struggles in the Big Apple have been well-documented (59.8% career
completion rate; 9 passing TDs and 11 INTs in 2021), and with the Panthers weathering recent
in-season instability at the QB position, the thought of Carolina turning to the bench is by no
means far-fetched. So, in the event Head Coach Matt Rhule – whether due to injury or poor play
– opts to sideline his young starter, who will fill the void under center?
The backup battle is effectively between P.J. Walker and Will Grier, with 2020 seventh-rounder
Tommy Stevens occupying the fourth spot on Carolina’s depth chart. Walker served as the
Panthers’ number-two option last season, making four appearances and one start in 2020.
Walker’s journey to the NFL was an absolute roller-coaster, coincidentally beginning under
Rhule’s tutelage at Temple. Despite posting program records in every major passing category,
the American Athletic Conference star went undrafted and spent multiple seasons on the
Indianapolis Colts practice squad. After lighting up the XFL for 1,338 yards and 15 TDs in five
games with the Houston Roughnecks, Walker inked a two-year deal with the Panthers last
March.
However, the Temple product struggled in his rookie campaign, completing just 57.1% of his
passes while throwing one touchdown pass and 5 interceptions. Carolina did defeat the Detroit
Lions (20-0) in Walker’s lone start, as the backup completed 24 of 34 passes for 258 yards, 1
TD, and 2 interceptions in place of an injured Bridgewater. Walker also threw 3 picks against the
Saints in the Panthers’ season-finale, the only other game in which he attempted more than four
passes.
Meanwhile, current third-stringer Will Grier has not taken a snap since the 2019 season, when he
slumped in two late-season starts. The former West Virginia superstar dismantled Big XII
opponents and was one of the best quarterbacks in the country his senior season, throwing for
3,864 yards, 37 TDs, and just 8 interceptions. He has yet to replicate this form in limited
opportunity at the NFL level, though, ending his rookie year with 228 yards and 4 interceptions
(53.8% completion rate) before falling behind Walker on the depth chart last season.
At the moment, it seems Walker still holds an advantage over Grier in the battle for the QB2 slot.
While the incumbent second-stringer did not set the football world alight in his rookie season, he
enjoyed legitimate professional success in the XFL and boasts a notable history of success under
Matt Rhule (dating back to his collegiate career). His NFL numbers are also slightly better than
Grier’s, as Walker has averaged a higher completion rate and more yards per completion – along
with a better QBR and passer rating – on a similar (but albeit limited) number of attempts. While
Panthers fans can only speculate about the backup battle for now, they will have a far clearer
understanding of the quarterback hierarchy when Carolina releases its preliminary depth chart
this summer.
