One of the downsides of Carolina Panthers training camp this summer is that there are no fans in attendance while their new training facility is being built. However, an upside is the excitement for the unknown and welcome surprises.
Last week's Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Arizona Cardinals featured a surprise, as third-string quarterback Haynes King seemingly came out of nowhere for a Panthers preseason performance of a lifetime.
Unfortunately, a hamstring injury discovered after King's walk-off touchdown dampened the stoic feelings. Either way, it may have changed the team's plans at quarterback.
Haynes King has already give the Carolina Panthers plenty to think about
This showcase proved to the Panthers that keeping a third quarterback on the roster may be the direction to go after King's production — 21 of 35, 180 yards, 39 rushing yards, three total touchdowns.
King showcased the mobility and toughness that made him such a fiery competitor at Georgia Tech and Texas A&M. His arm talent is much better than it's given credit for, and his accuracy was impressive.
Even so, King's performance is overshadowed by the hamstring issue he sustained on the game-winning run, as head coach Dave Canales calls his status week to week. Despite the setback, his production provoked an interesting discussion about the math for Carolina's 53-man roster cutdowns.
It offers a conversation about keeping three quarterbacks, and, on the off-chance King returns for the preseason finale against the Houston Texans, it could spark another discussion about competing for Bryce Young's backup role.
Regardless, the injury doesn't change what the plans could be at quarterback behind Young. The Panthers may feel that a competition for the No. 2 slot is exactly what they want from their roster, in general.
The only part of the plan that hasn't changed — and hasn't for a couple of years — is that Young is the team's unquestioned starter.
Haynes King might be difficult to sneak onto Carolina Panthers' practice squad
There is the idea that King could be used in a Taysom Hill gadget role, which could be a unique development in itself.
King's athleticism could help him get on the field, but it is unclear how he would be used in this instance as a gadget player. It may require being on the practice squad instead of taking up a roster spot as the team's QB3.
The undrafted free agent would still be the Panthers' emergency quarterback on Sundays. It would allow him to be a standard elevation as he develops as a running back, tight end, receiver, and return specialist.
While I was initially against this idea, it could be a fun exercise and story for Carolina to explore. It could give opposing defenses more headaches, similar to Hill's impact with the New Orleans Saints over many years.
My concern is that if he were to hit waivers, the signal-caller would be an easy claim for another franchise, assuming King gets another game under his belt. He might also clear waivers because of this injury. Carolina could then stash him on the practice squad, which, realistically, is the direction the team would go.
For the third year in a row, it seems like general manager Dan Morgan has nailed on another undrafted gem. King's health could be a determining factor in how the roster cutdown math shakes out, but it'll be a fun debate in the weeks to come.
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