Carolina Panthers Preseason Report Card

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 08: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers looks to throw a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 08, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 08: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers looks to throw a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half of a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 08, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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Grading the Carolina Panthers’ 2019 Preseason

Following Thursday night’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Carolina Panthers preseason slate is complete. The Panthers finished the preseason 2-2, and gave fans a first-look at this year’s team. Carolina showed signs of exciting progress, however, there also remains a few key unanswered questions. Keep reading for position-by-position grades for the Panthers’ preseason.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 29: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers with the ball during their preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 29: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Carolina Panthers with the ball during their preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks: C

Entering the offseason, one of the Panthers’ most pressing issues was to find a solid backup in case Cam Newton were to go down. Unfortunately, the preseason did nothing to quell those worries. The Panthers ranked 27th in passing yards and in the top-five in interceptions this preseason. Will Grier was taken in the third round of this year’s draft in hopes that he could solidify the backup quarterback job, and perhaps even be Carolina’s quarterback of the future. While he showed potential, he struggled mightily at times, completing only 55.7% of his passes with 3 interceptions and only 2 touchdowns. Kyle Allen wasn’t much better, and Taylor Heinicke’s fate may have been decided before camp ever began. It doesn’t help that Newton suffered a sprained foot less than two weeks ago.