Carolina Panthers Move On From Veteran Quarterback

The 2026 NFL preseason is officially in the books as teams wrapped up play over the weekend for the exhibition schedule. Now, the focus shifts to the regular season as teams are finalizing their rosters.

NFL teams will need to be down to 53 players by Sunday's 6 p.m deadline and from there a waiver period will take place. So we likely wont get a full look at the Carolina Panthers' roster until Tuesday after all of the moves.

But as roster cut day is underway, the Panthers are already making some moves. 

Veteran quarterback Kyle Trask is the latest to be cut from the roster, getting let go just a few weeks after the team signed him. With Haynes King getting hurt after the first preseason game, the Panthers turned to Trask, who gave them some valuable reps in the preseason.

Trask appeared in three preseason games for the Panthers, throwing for 252 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed 70 percent of his passing attempts. 

For Trask, it may not be the end of his time in Carolina. Jeremy Fowler reported the cut on Sunday but noted that he could be brought back on the practice squad or as an emergency third quarterback. Having some familiarity with the Panthers, it makes sense for him to be an option.

As for King, the decision to cut Trask favors him. While he's been battling a hamstring injury, King could have played in Friday's preseason game if needed be. But with Kenny Pickett and Trask both on the roster, there was no need to risk it with King. 

Trask enjoyed a breakout season for the Florida Gators in 2020, throwing for 4,283 yards and 43 touchdowns, leading them to the SEC Championship Game. He was then selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft as a potential successor to Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, it never worked out for Trask and with Tampa Bay landing Baker Mayfield, they moved on from Trask. 

Carolina will open up the regular season in Week 1 by hosting the Chicago Bears.