The Carolina Panthers cracked open a Heinicke for their first offensive series on Thursday night against Pittsburgh, giving backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke his final crack at snagging the No. 2 spot.
And with the coaching staff scouring the field for starter Cam Newton’s backup for the 2018 season, they might have found him — in an unexpected place.
Heinicke’s night didn’t exactly start as he might have hoped. He rushed for a first down on third and 6 in the Panthers’ opening series, but he was 1 for 5 passing on the next six attempts, including a batted ball and a wide misfire to receiver Curtis Samuel on third down, his third consecutive incompletion.