Panthers Could Stick With QB Kyle Allen If They Keep Winning

According to Ian Rapoport, the Panthers could stick with QB Kyle Allen as the starter if he remains undefeated in relief of starting QB Cam Newton. 

Rapoport says the team has not discussed what to do when Newton returns, as the focus has been on getting him fully healthy from a Lisfranc injury. 

In the meantime, Allen has been impressive, helping steward the Panthers to a 4-0 record without Newton. If Carolina wins in Week 4, Rapoport says the team would be more likely to keep the status quo with Allen and allow Newton more time to recover.

While other reports have said Newton could return for Carolina’s Week 8 game against the 49ers, Jason La Canfora reports Newton is likely to miss at least one more game following the team’s bye next week. 

La Canfora says the team will continue to be cautious as they ramp Newton back up to speed. 

Newton, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2011. He is entering the fifth year of his six-year, $118.47 million contract that includes $60 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $16.2 million and $18.6 million over the final two years of the agreement.

In 2019, Newton has appeared in two games for the Panthers, completing 50 out of 89 passes for 572 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He has also rushed five times for -2 yards.

Allen, 23, signed on with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent back in 2018. Allen was waived coming out of the preseason before the Panthers added him to their practice squad. He was called up to the active roster late in the season.

Entering today’s game, Allen had started three games for the Panthers and completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 674 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

We’ll have more regarding the Panthers quarterback situation as the news is available.