The Carolina Panthers’ quarterback room underwent several changes this offseason. The team traded away Andy Dalton, saw Will Grier retire, and signed Kenny Pickett and undrafted free agent Haynes King
Head coach Dave Canales has preferred to keep just two quarterbacks on the main roster, so most assumed Pickett would be the backup, and King would get a practice squad spot
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However, Pickett has struggled at camp, and a recent move by the Panthers may signal trouble for the veteran
Panthers Bring in QB Kyle Trask for Workout
On Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers were bringing in veteran quarterback Kyle Trask for a workout
Trask was originally a second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2021. The Florida product spent three seasons as the backup quarterback before being cut ahead of the 2025 season
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After moving on from Tampa Bay, Trask signed on with the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. Now, the veteran could be on his way to continuing his tour of the NFC South. It’s worth noting that Trask and Canales are familiar with each other, as both were in Tampa Bay for the 2023 season
Trask has only attempted 11 passes in the NFL, with no touchdowns or interceptions
Is Kenny Pickett in Trouble?
If Pickett had been meeting expectations, the Panthers wouldn’t bother bringing a quarterback in for a workout. This is a clear sign that the team isn’t totally comfortable with Pickett at this point
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It’s probably an even worse sign for Pickett that Trask has experience with Canales. Perhaps the coach would be more comfortable with a backup quarterback he’s worked with already. There’s still plenty of time for Pickett to turn it around, though, and there’s no guarantee the Panthers will even sign Trask
Regardless, it’s clear the backup quarterback spot is being watched closely in Carolina. Even if Trask doesn’t get signed, don’t be surprised if the team makes some kind of move if Pickett continues to struggle
This story was originally published byAthlon Sportson Jul 29, 2026, where it first appeared in theNFLsection. Add Athlon Sports as aPreferred
