A Quest for Resurgence
Kenny Pickett, the once-heralded first-round quarterback, has signed with the Carolina Panthers. The move, finalized around March 2026, sees Pickett aiming to rekindle a career that has yet to fully materialize as an NFL starter. His stated goal: to secure a starting position once more, a possibility he believes could be nurtured under the tutelage of Panthers coach Dave Canales.
The central impetus behind Pickett's decision appears to be coach Dave Canales' offensive philosophy. Pickett has expressed an appreciation for Canales' approach, particularly his use of play-action and bootleg plays that facilitate mobility and throws on the run. This aligns with Pickett's own perceived strengths.
A New Backup Role
Pickett joins the Panthers not as an immediate starter, but to contend for the backup quarterback position behind Bryce Young. This arrangement follows his tenure as a backup to Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Read More: NY Giants RB Cam Skattebo calls CTE and asthma 'fake', later says it was a joke
His career statistics, as of his signing, stand at 4,953 passing yards, with 16 passing touchdowns against 16 interceptions.
In contrast, Bryce Young, in his Carolina uniform, has accumulated 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, along with 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
The Panthers organization, according to reports, is also considering a shift towards younger players at other positions, potentially involving trades for veteran players like Dalton.
A Past Connection
The decision to sign with Carolina was not entirely spontaneous. Reports indicate a prior connection between Pickett and Canales dating back to March 21, 2022. Following Pickett's workout at Pitt's pro day, the two reportedly met for lunch at a brewery in South Pittsburgh. At the time, Canales was the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks, a role he held prior to his head coaching position in Carolina. This established rapport is cited as a significant factor in Pickett's eventual move.
