Panthers' QB depth chart takes shape after retirement news

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The Carolina Panthers have one less quarterback on their roster on Wednesday than they did to start the week.

Will Grier announced his retirement from the NFL at age 31. Carolina goes from having four QBs to three.

Grier wasn't necessarily in the picture to start or even be the backup, but considering that quarterback is the most important position in sports, losing depth at the position is never a good thing.

Nothing about the Grier retirement changes the most obvious spot on the depth chart: Bryce Young remains the starter.

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After helping the Panthers squeak into the postseason, Young will be playing to try and earn a big contract extension.

Even if Young doesn't play particularly well, though, he'll likely remain the starter. The depth isn't great.

Behind Young as QB2 will almost certainly be Kenny Pickett. The former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers is in the journeyman stage of his career now, but he's definitely got the most experience of any Panthers option besides Young.

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As of now, the third quarterback is Haynes King. King is an undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech who had a really good college career but isn't a sure thing as a passer.

King's best role might be as a rushing threat in specialty packages for the Panthers, if he sees the field at all in his first couple seasons.

The retirement of Grier likely will mean the Panthers bring in some QB for training camp to have four around, just in case -- but who that will be remains to be seen.