Latest Panthers hire signals QB preference in NFL Draft

A recent coaching hire by Frank Reich may be hinting at who the Carolina Panthers want to select in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Carolina Panthers were the first team to be in the market for a head coach after firing Matt Rhule, and they were the first to hire a sideline boss this cycle in Frank Reich. The Panthers are going to be a team to watch in the NFL Draft in terms of the top quarterback prospects. They hold the ninth overall pick, and Reich made a name for himself for his work with quarterbacks. Reich added another former quarterback to his staff this week.

On Friday, NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Panthers were hiring Josh McCown to be their quarterbacks coach. This is McCown’s first NFL coaching gig. McCown notably was in the running for the Houston Texans head coaching position last year.

Could the hiring of McCown hint at the team’s preference on who to select in the 2023 NFL Draft this April?

Do Panthers have a preference at quarterback in NFL Draft with latest coaching hire?

During an appearance on Underdog Fantasy with host Josh Norris, McCown gave his thoughts on the upcoming quarterback class, and he heaped heavy praise on Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. Specifically, McCown gave his thoughts on Stroud’s performance against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl.

“You want to look at a team that’s a formidable opponent, and no one’s better than the Georgia Bulldogs. And man, it was a fun tape to watch because he made all kinds of plays, you see all the throws you want to see,” said McCown of Stroud. “You see him moving the football against the best. When scouts, and when we get into the spring and they’re doing their due diligence looking at C.J. Stroud, this tape is going to be one that factors in to where they end up slotting him because you want to see guys play and make throws against pro corners and pro safeties and move against pro [defensive] linemen, and this Georgia defense is loaded with those kind of players. It’s a great tape, it’s really fun to watch. I’m really impressed with C.J. Stroud and where he’s headed. He’s very well-coached, and I think the future’s bright for him.”

Towards the end of the regular season, Stroud received some criticism for his performances, with the most notable being against Michigan. But against Georgia, with a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Stroud had the game of his collegiate career. He made incredible throws against Georgia’s stout defense and used his legs to extend plays. In fact, his 27-yard run in the final seconds of regulation set the Buckeyes up in field goal range. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, kicker Noah Ruggles missed a 50-yard game-winning field goal.

Stroud completed 23-of-34 pass attempts for 348 yards and four touchdowns while running 12 times for 34 yards in the 42-41 loss.

On the season, Stroud threw for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 66.3 percent of his passes.

While McCown’s praise of Stroud is gaining steam on social media, does that mean the Panthers are definitely going to select the Ohio State quarterback? No. There is still two months of the pre-draft process to go through, and the Panthers may very well become infatuated with another prospect. Not to mention, the Panthers hold the No. 9 spot, behind other quarterback-needy teams like the Houston Texans (No. 2), Indianapolis Colts (No. 4), and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7). So if the Panthers really like a prospect, they will have to trade up to ensure they select them.

Regardless of what the Panthers do at the quarterback position in the NFL Draft, McCown’s comments about Stroud will undoubtedly have some of the fanbase wishing for that to become a reality.