03-04-2026, 08:28 PM -
I like the fact that, if they are approached by another team (or if Andy wants to go elsewhere), they will talk to Andy first and let him decide. But, Dan made two things very clear;
1. He wants to get younger at the backup position, and
2. He is NOT going to make any trades to get a young quarterback. He'll be looking to improve the position in the Draft.
Four takeaways from Thursday, including Dan Morgan on QB moves and more
INDIANAPOLIS — Dan Morgan is considering the future in more ways than one this draft cycle.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN Thursday afternoon, the Panthers general manager responded to reports that teams could be interested in Carolina's backup quarterback, Andy Dalton. Trade rumors circulated amongst the convention center and downtown, serving as headquarters for the NFL this week.
"I think it's the—there's a potential that somebody may want him," Morgan acknowledged when asked about the rumors by McAfee. "Andy's a really good player, and he's a great guy, great culture fit for us.
"I haven't talked to any teams about a trade, but I think if the possibility did come up that I would talk to Andy, give him that option and let him explore a trade."
If that does happen, it could accelerate the possibility for a rookie or young passer in the backup role, something Morgan told reporters in his end-of-season press conference that he would be open to; he reiterated the message to McAfee on Thursday.
"I do think that we want to get a little younger and a little more athletic at that backup quarterback spot," Morgan said of developing someone behind Bryce Young. "So we'll see what happens from there."
That naturally led to questions around Anthony Richardson.
Drafted at No. 4 overall in 2023, the same draft in which Young was drafted No. 1 overall, Richardson's career with the Indianapolis Colts has been marred by injuries, a benching, and quarterback competitions.
On Thursday, the Colts announced that they had granted Richardson's request to seek a trade. Asked if the Panthers would be interested in that possibility, Morgan shut down the idea of trading for any young passer.
"We're not trading," Morgan stated. "I'm not giving away draft picks. We've got to build through the draft."
The Panthers have seven draft picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft this April, including two fifth-round picks.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, Morgan and the Panthers feel confident in Bryce Young and what he can bring to the team moving forward, following a career-best year in 2025. Morgan continued to put his support behind his quarterback, not just for how he played in 2025, but his entire career arc up to this point.
"I'm proud of Bryce in general," said Morgan. "To go through the adversity that he went through and getting benched. I remember him sitting in my office and talking to him about, like, 'Hey, you're eventually going to be back out there, just take this in stride, try to go out there, just keep working hard.'
"And he went out there, he worked hard, he put the work in, and I'm just so proud of him for doing that."
1. He wants to get younger at the backup position, and
2. He is NOT going to make any trades to get a young quarterback. He'll be looking to improve the position in the Draft.
Four takeaways from Thursday, including Dan Morgan on QB moves and more
INDIANAPOLIS — Dan Morgan is considering the future in more ways than one this draft cycle.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN Thursday afternoon, the Panthers general manager responded to reports that teams could be interested in Carolina's backup quarterback, Andy Dalton. Trade rumors circulated amongst the convention center and downtown, serving as headquarters for the NFL this week.
"I think it's the—there's a potential that somebody may want him," Morgan acknowledged when asked about the rumors by McAfee. "Andy's a really good player, and he's a great guy, great culture fit for us.
"I haven't talked to any teams about a trade, but I think if the possibility did come up that I would talk to Andy, give him that option and let him explore a trade."
If that does happen, it could accelerate the possibility for a rookie or young passer in the backup role, something Morgan told reporters in his end-of-season press conference that he would be open to; he reiterated the message to McAfee on Thursday.
"I do think that we want to get a little younger and a little more athletic at that backup quarterback spot," Morgan said of developing someone behind Bryce Young. "So we'll see what happens from there."
That naturally led to questions around Anthony Richardson.
Drafted at No. 4 overall in 2023, the same draft in which Young was drafted No. 1 overall, Richardson's career with the Indianapolis Colts has been marred by injuries, a benching, and quarterback competitions.
On Thursday, the Colts announced that they had granted Richardson's request to seek a trade. Asked if the Panthers would be interested in that possibility, Morgan shut down the idea of trading for any young passer.
"We're not trading," Morgan stated. "I'm not giving away draft picks. We've got to build through the draft."
The Panthers have seven draft picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft this April, including two fifth-round picks.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, Morgan and the Panthers feel confident in Bryce Young and what he can bring to the team moving forward, following a career-best year in 2025. Morgan continued to put his support behind his quarterback, not just for how he played in 2025, but his entire career arc up to this point.
"I'm proud of Bryce in general," said Morgan. "To go through the adversity that he went through and getting benched. I remember him sitting in my office and talking to him about, like, 'Hey, you're eventually going to be back out there, just take this in stride, try to go out there, just keep working hard.'
"And he went out there, he worked hard, he put the work in, and I'm just so proud of him for doing that."