The Carolina Panthers are all-in on quarterback Bryce Young, at least for the next two years. And if everything keeps trending up for the signal-caller in 2026, it'll be a lot longer.
General manager Dan Morgan added a wide receiver Young is already familiar with in free agency, bringing John Metchie III into the fold. He was a highly touted prospect once upon a time. A serious health issue dented his early momentum, and he is still trying to carve out his path.
And Morgan did not stop there.
Carolina Panthers betting on previous chemistry with Kobe Prentice, but can he deliver?
Once the 2026 NFL Draft concluded, Morgan followed a similar path. Kobe Prentice was plucked from the undrafted free-agent pool, who also spent time with Young on the Crimson Tide. He's starting from the bottom, but Joe Person of The Athletic thought this previous connection gives the speedy wideout a head start on the rest before he enters his first offseason in Carolina.
"The 6-foot, 184-pound [Kobe] Prentice ran a 4.37-second 40 and pulled down six TD passes over the first six games in 2025 after transferring from Alabama. Prentice caught 31 passes for 337 yards and two TDs in 2022 during [Bryce] Young’s final year in Tuscaloosa. Like John Metchie, the Panthers are hoping Prentice’s history with Young means something."
The Panthers are a developmental staff that rewards hard work. Several undrafted players have made their way onto Carolina's active roster in recent years. Wide receiver Jalen Coker is the biggest success story, but defensive back Corey Thornton and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald also have high hopes for the future.
Whether Prentice adds his name to the list is debatable. He's got the speed to stretch the field, and he's a weapon with the football in his hands. Enhancing the route tree and improving his ability to get off press-man coverage are the primary objectives, and time is of the essence.
Prentice's first step will be impressing during Carolina's rookie minicamp. After that, it'll be a case of seizing every moment when the first-year players and the veterans come together for OTAs. Building momentum before the summer is key. After that, training camp will be even more intense.
Carolina's receiver room is crowded after signing Metchie and spending a third-round pick on Chris Brazzell II. The stakes have been raised, and Prentice is starting from the bottom up. Nothing is guaranteed, so approaching every day with the same urgency is the only thing that will improve his chances.
Even that might not be enough, but the Panthers want to find out for sure.
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