Matt Corral Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers drafted Matt Corral in the 2022 NFL Draft with the expecation that he could be their quarterback of the future. Now that they’ve traded for Baker Mayfield, it appears that they’re committed to ensuring that it’s the future he’s prepared for.

The Panthers now have experienced NFL quarterbacks in Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and P.J. Walker ahead of Corral on the depth chart, so all signs point to the rookie getting a chance to “redshirt” during his first season in the pros. A lot can happen when it comes to injuries or trades (just ask Baker) but it certainly sounds like the Panthers see Corral as an investment in their future.

“We’ll see how it goes, how it all plays out,” General manager Scott Fitterer told reporters. “The one good thing for Matt, there is a transition for him from a college offense he was in to an NFL offense, especially a (Ben) McAdoo offense, where there’s a lot of verbiage. This will allow him the chance to really learn at his own pace, learn from a couple of veterans in that room in Sam and Baker, and having PJ in that room as well.

“And when it’s time for him to get out there and play, he can get out there and earn that job if he’s ready. But it’s going to be on him to learn and play well when he gets there. Right now, our focus is to get all of our quarterbacks up to speed so we can play good quality football at that position.”

The standard these days around the NFL is for rookies to play sooner than later, which can sometimes work to their benefit but also put them in unwinnable positions to grow faster than possible (see: Tua). Corral’s situation sounds like an ideal one, where he’ll get the chance to adjust to the pro game knowing that there’s probably a spot for him to start in the near future, unless Mayfield suddenly blossoms.

[Panthers]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.