5 former QBs the Carolina Panthers struggled to win with

Chris Weinke – Former Carolina Panthers QB

The Carolina Panthers drafted Chris Weinke more in hope than expectation at No. 101 overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. But a better than anticipated integration period saw him named the team’s starter after impressing considerably during training camp.

Sadly for the player and the Panthers, this did not translate to a competitive environment right out of the gate. Weinke struggled to find any sort of rhythm as a rookie, completing 54.3 percent of his passes for 2,931 yards, 11 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, and a 1-14 record from his time under center.

This was nothing short of a catastrophe for Weinke’s career prospects. The Panthers had seen enough from the Heisman Trophy winner and swiftly moved him into a backup role, even though such a lowly record allowed them to draft stud pass-rusher Julius Peppers, who remains one of the best ever to suit up for the organization.

Weinke started just four more games for the Panthers – winning one – before he was moved on entirely after the 2006 season. He spent one more season with the San Francisco 49ers before calling it a day.

Perhaps the Panthers expected too much from Weinke given that he was 29 years old in Year 1 of his pro career. But it was clear from very early on that he wasn’t going to be the answer.