Matt Corral never really got a fair chance at the gig under center for the Carolina Panthers. But he may get that shot for somebody else this summer.
Joe Person of The Athletic analyzed the team’s offensive roster on Monday, a week before players convene in Spartanburg, S.C. for this year’s installment of training camp. Person noted that Corral, not rookie quarterback and first overall pick Bryce Young, is likely to get the most work during preseason contests:
The former Ole Miss quarterback figures to get the bulk of the snaps in the preseason games. That will give the 2022 third-rounder a chance to showcase his skills for the Panthers (and every other team) following what amounted to a redshirt season — Corral went down with a season-ending foot injury last August at New England. A strong summer could make Corral attractive to a quarterback-needy team. But there’s no reason for Scott Fitterer to give away a QB he traded up for and who has three years left on his rookie deal.
Although he was never considered the absolute answer at the position, Corral has been a victim of circumstance during his short time in Charlotte. From getting the crumbs of Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold during last year’s camp to sustaining a season-ending Lisfranc fracture in the preseason and seeing Young seize the job (and his number) as 2023’s top selection, the former third-rounder hasn’t gotten a full swing in the NFL just yet.
So, with the Panthers probably wanting to keep their franchise guy as healthy as possible out of the gate, that swing could be coming for Corral—whether it finishes in Charlotte or elsewhere.
