John Wolford had a deal in place to affix the Panthers’ practice squad, but that may now not be the case. The seventh-year quarterback just isn’t heading to Carolina at the moment, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Wolford spent the 2023 season with the Buccaneers, spending time under Dave Canales. Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator for that campaign, Canales took the Panthers’ head coaching gig through the 2024 hiring cycle, so it got here as no surprise Wolford showed interest in following him to Carolina. Person adds the Panthers will use that practice squad spot on a unique position in the meanwhile, though.
An agreement with Wolford could still be within the cards for Carolina in a while, Person notes. The 28-year-old entered the league as a UDFA in 2018, making his regular season debut two years later with the Rams. Wolford made a complete of eight appearances and five starts during his Los Angeles tenure, including a wild-card win in 2020 during which he was injured early.
The Buccaneers had Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask on the depth chart last season, and that continues to be the case in 2024. Wolford is free to sign with any team, but a spot on a practice squad (quite than an energetic roster) needs to be expected unless the early portion of the season leaves potential suitors in need of healthy passers in brief order. Attention in Carolina will remain focused on Canales’ ability to develop Bryce Young, a central a part of why he was hired because the team’s latest coach.
The Panthers have Young and veteran Andy Dalton on the energetic roster as things stand. The team also has Jake Plummer on the taxi squad as a developmental option. Changes to that depth chart could happen if Wolford finds himself in Carolina, but not less than for now that won’t happen.
