Carolina Panthers: Stock Watch after Preseason Week 1

Stock Up: Kyle Allen

The backup quarterback battle will be one of the most watched competitions of the preseason. With Allen, third round pick Will Grier and veteran Taylor Heinicke all battling for the spot and Cam Newton sitting out, we got an extended look at the competitors.

Allen was the starter against the Bears and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Allen displayed his arm strength, exhibiting a beautiful throwing motion to deliver several clean balls to his wide receivers.

Allen finished the game 7-11 for 76 yards. He didn’t throw for a touchdown but didn’t make any bad decisions and protected the ball well. He took what the defense gave him and escaped pressure on several occasions behind a rickety offensive line.

Allen is the returning quarterback in the Panthers system and started the season finale against the Saints last year, but in no way was the heavy favorite to win the backup job. When you have a quarterback behind you the team invested a third round pick on, it can appear as though the writing on the wall says your days are numbered. But Allen has proven himself worthy of a roster spot so far and potentially even worthy of the backup job.

His play was calm and collected and makes you confident in his abilities should Cam not be able to play at all this season. It’s likely he’ll be the starter again next week against Buffalo and it’ll be interesting to see if Allen can continue his strong play.