Carolina Panthers and the quest for a franchise quarterback

The Carolina Panthers now hold the first overall picks in next month's NFL draft. The team secured the spot through a trade with the original holder, the Chicago Bears, in a bid to select their most-preferred quarterback choice in the draft.

The Chicago Bears will get the ninth and 61st overall picks in the upcoming NFL draft, as well as a first-round pick in 2024 and a second-round pick in the 2025 draft, from the Panthers. The trade deal also involved wide receiver DJ Moore joining the Bears.

The search for Cam Newton's replacement

Since Cam Newton was released by the Panthers in March 2020, the team has struggled to find a good fit for the quarterback role. Since then, the Panthers have gone through three seasons without a franchise quarterback.

The highly dynamic Newton joined the Panthers in 2011 after he was selected as the first overall pick in the draft. The Heisman Trophy winner immediately became the backbone of the team's offense, leading them to the Super Bowl in 2015.

The Panthers have, however, found it hard to get a suitable replacement for the 2015 MVP, who struggled with injuries in his later years with the team. Newton himself couldn't secure the starting role in his comeback to the team after a stint with the New England Patriots.

The franchise has gone through the likes of Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and P.J. Walker in the quarterback role during the low period and Cam Newton's absence. This evidently showcases why the team is desperate for a franchise quarterback.

Who will be the Panthers' new quarterback?

Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud at the NFL Combine

The Panthers are definitely banking on next month's NFL draft to secure a quarterback who will lead the team over the next couple of years. This is why the team has sacrificed quite a lot to secure the first overall pick from the Bears in order to select their favorite choice.

The question flying around the NFL world is which quarterback prospect will eventually be selected by the Panthers. The upcoming draft has a number of brilliant quarterback prospects, including Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis.

While many might believe Bryce Young will be the easy choice for the Panthers, there's no clear indication that will be the case yet. Reports have suggested Panthers owner David Tepper prefers Young, while head coach Frank Reich is leaning toward C.J. Stroud.

The number one pick now belongs to the franchise, and it's up to them to decide internally their preferred choice. One certainty right now is the fact that the first overall pick in the upcoming draft will be a quarterback. It remains to be seen which of the prospects ends up becoming the Panthers' preferred choice next month.