King faces uphill battle with Carolina Panthers

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The Carolina Panthers are taking a low-risk, high-upside swing at quarterback, signing former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football standout Haynes King as an undrafted free agent.King arrives in Carolina after a productive and resilient college career, highlighted by his time at Georgia Tech. Across his tenure with the Yellow Jackets, King developed into one of the more dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the ACC. In his final season, he threw for 2,951 yards with 14 touchdown passes while adding more than 953 rushing yards and 15 scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays and create offense with his legs became a defining feature of Georgia Tech’s attack.The question now is whether that skill set can translate to the next level—and whether he has a legitimate shot at making the Panthers’ roster.There’s no denying the challenges ahead. King will need to process defenses faster and operate with greater clarity from the pocket, something scouts consistently flagged during the pre-draft process. The windows in the NFL close quicker, and hesitation can be the difference between a completion and a turnover.Still, King brings traits that teams value in backup quarterbacks. His competitive toughness stands out on film, as does his willingness to take hits and keep plays alive. His dual-threat ability also adds a layer of versatility, potentially making him useful in specialized packages or as a scout-team asset early in his career.In a crowded quarterback room, making the final roster won’t be easy. However, King’s work ethic and adaptability could give him an edge in training camp and preseason action. At minimum, he profiles as a strong candidate for the practice squad.Ultimately, while King may not be a lock to make the team, he does have a real path. If he can speed up his decision-making and continue refining his accuracy, his athleticism and grit could help him carve out a role in Carolina—perhaps not immediately, but over time as a developmental backup.