The Carolina Panthers are actively shaping their quarterback room ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, and Georgia Tech’s Haynes King is the latest name on the radar. According to multiple reports, the Panthers have scheduled a visit with the dual-threat quarterback this week, alongside the Atlanta Falcons.
At a time when Carolina has locked in Bryce Young with his fifth-year option and added Kenny Pickett as the primary backup, King represents a low-cost, high-upside developmental piece who could bring a different dimension to the offense—namely, legitimate mobility from the backup spot.
King, a 25-year-old 6-foot-2, 212-pound quarterback out of Longview, Texas, took a winding path to this moment. After three seasons at Texas A&M, he transferred to Georgia Tech and started 23 games over the past two years, earning 2025 ACC Player of the Year honors.
While King’s pocket mechanics and accuracy still need refinement—he’s more grit-and-guts than polished passer—his ability to scramble adds immediate value in a league where injuries happen fast. Bryce Young has shown flashes of escapability but isn’t an elite runner.
A mobile backup like King would give head coach Dave Canales and new play-caller Brad Idzik schematic flexibility. Think designed runs, RPOs, or gadget packages that keep defenses honest without overexposing Young. In short-yardage or two-minute situations, King’s legs could flip field position or manufacture first downs when the pocket collapses.
The Panthers’ recent quarterback moves suggest they’re building layers of insurance. After trading Andy Dalton and signing Pickett, Carolina appears interested in complementary skill sets rather than direct competition for Young. King fits as a late round or priority undrafted free agent type who won’t demand a big roster spot or cap hit but could develop into a reliable No. 2 or even a Taysom Hill-style Swiss Army knife over time.
King will turn 26 as a rookie, and his long-term passing projection is more backup than starter. But in today’s NFL, where mobile quarterbacks stretch defenses and create chaos, having that trait on the bench is cheap insurance.
Whether King lands in Charlotte or stays in the division with Atlanta remains to be seen. But for a Panthers team looking to add versatility without breaking the bank, a mobile quarterback in the backup role could be exactly the spark the offense needs. Draft weekend will tell if Carolina pulls the trigger on this intriguing dual-threat option.