The Carolina Panthers head into the 2025 NFL season more optimistic than in the previous few years.
Bryce Young solidified his spot as the Panthers’ franchise quarterback through consistently good performances on the back of last season. The Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama will aim to build on that momentum under head coach Dave Canales.
However, he’s not the only veteran option in this QB room that Canales can turn to. Here’s how the Panthers’ quarterback depth chart looks heading into the upcoming season.
Who Else Lines Up at Quarterback With Bryce Young?
Young is officially an NFL veteran after withstanding his first season in the pros. Also standing in the room is a passer with 14 seasons on his résumé in Andy Dalton.
After Young was benched early last season, Dalton stepped in and started five games. He went 1-4 and was later replaced by the former first overall pick.
Dalton, known as “Red Rifle” across the league for his famed red hair, signed a two-year, $8 million extension in February 2025. The previously playoff-bound quarterback with the Cincinnati Bengals gets another chance at mentoring/backing up Young.
This is the type of stuff you want to see out of your young QB.
Bryce Young correcting Xavier Legette, telling him exactly what he wants to see.
Great relationships & clear/direct communication 🙌#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/5GKqE9LQdS
— Keep Purring Podcast (Ben) (@KeepPurringBen) August 21, 2025
Barring abysmal play, Young is expected to finish the season as the Panthers’ QB1. However, if Carolina needs to replace him, either due to an injury or bad form, they still have multiple options to choose from.
Apart from Young and Dalton, who are the other quarterback options for the Panthers in 2025? Let’s have a look:
Getting To Know Jack Plummer, Panthers’ QB3
Plummer came over to Charlotte as a 24-year-old rookie. His journey saw him going undrafted before landing in Carolina.
The towering 6’5″, 215-pound passer happens to be a journeyman QB in the collegiate world. After throwing 6,913 career passing yards and 69 touchdowns for Gilbert High School in Arizona, Plummer started his CFB stint with the Purdue Boilermakers and the 2018 recruiting class.
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Plummer, though, lasted three seasons in West Lafayette and entered the transfer portal. He found his way back out west with the California Golden Bears from 2022-2023. Plummer tossed a career-best 21 touchdowns in his first campaign in Berkeley, but none of his Cal teams clinched a bowl berth.
He had one more collegiate stop at Louisville. Plummer went on to match his previous-best 21 touchdowns in his lone season with the Cardinals. He went 10-4 overall as the starter and guided Louisville to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game — which also became his first taste of Bank of America Stadium.
Plummer did not play a single game last season, but he will be ready for his opportunity if circumstances force the Panthers to go toward him.
Get to know Bryce Perkins, the Panthers’ QB4
Apart from Plummer, the Panthers also have Bryce Perkins on the roster. Carolina signed him this past Monday, as Dalton is dealing with an elbow injury.
Perkins signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. He has made five appearances in the NFL so far, along with one start.
He was the United Football League (UFL) MVP for this past season and will be a valuable depth option for the Panthers as they look to make the playoffs with Young leading from the front.
Panthers vs. Steelers Preseason Week 3 Game Preview
The Panthers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in their final preseason game before the 2025 NFL season. Carolina has not won a preseason game so far, but has opted to rest its starters for the game against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are playing some of their key starters, with Jalen Ramsey making his debut for the franchise, but Aaron Rodgers remains sidelined.
Hopefully, Canales and Co. will be able to figure things out quickly before they begin the regular season with a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As for the Steelers, Mike Tomlin will make sure his players are ready for their Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets, where Rodgers will get a chance to make a statement against his former team, which gave up on him.
