The Panthers since 2022, have been an organization that has always seen multiple quarterbacks make starts throughout a season, and 2025 was no exception. The team opted to move on E.J. Perry and decided to not bring Brian Lewerke back, retaining Danny Etling, Bryce Perkins, and 2024 Draft Rocky Lombardi who was fresh off his stint with the Cincinnati Bengals. In addition to the previously mentioned Three, the Panthers also had “cameos” from Colby Suits and Alan Bowman spending time with the team as well.
The Panthers flip-flopped between Danny Etling and Bryce Perkins for the first half of the season, before an injury to Etling forced Head Coach Mike Nolan to go “all-in” with Perkins. Perkins would go on to put together 3 player of the week honors, Offensive Player of the Year, All-UFL QB Honors, and the UFL’s MVP, despite only playing in Seven games in the 2025 season. Overall, the Panthers QB room threw for 1,993 Yds (2nd most since 2022), and 14 TDs (most since 2022) between Etling, Perkins, and Lombardi.
The future of QB room depends heavily on the choice of Bryce Perkins. Perkins would be going into his age 29 season and after masterclass in the 2025 season, Perkins should be gaining some consideration from NFL teams shortly. The team also has a decision to make with Danny Etling who like Perkins would be going into his third season with the team. Rocky Lombardi, the team’s 3rd string QB has already signed a Letter of Intent to return to the Panthers for the 2026 season and remains a developmental QB.
The Panthers will need to make a decision on whether to aggressively pursue a Quarterback this off season or be comfortable with Etling or Perkins leading the team this upcoming season. While many would think Steve Kazor and Mike Nolan would have no issue with the reigning MVP returning, the question is does Perkins want to come back?
The former UVA QB has seemingly begun preparing for his career post football, with his business SipTale Cocktails that is currently taking off. Perkins may decide to go “all-in” on his business especially if the NFL doesn’t call. Perkins has already earned several million dollars during his NFL career, in addition to his earnings in the UFL.
Danny Etling’s return may also be a mystery. The former LSU/Purdue QB does own a decent amount of experience as a reserve QB since coming out of college as a late round draft pick in 2018 however, he’s received no NFL interest since his release from the Packers in August of 2023. Etling has shown bouts of success in the UFL but couldn’t reach the same dynamic playmaking level that Perkins displayed. Etling will also be 31 going on 32 in the 2026 UFL season, and may want to move on to the next phase in his life.
Going into 2026, it does seem like Michigan will have at a minimum One new signal caller in their QB room, which will continue to rotate as it has since 2022. The franchise going into its 5th season has seen Shea Patterson, Paxton Lynch, Josh Love, E.J. Perry, Carson Strong, Brian Lewerke, Etling, Perkins, and Lombardi all start for the team during its revival as a franchise. Right now, the USFL Conference Champions are in a waiting game to see what happens under center for the Repole era of the UFL.
2 Comments
by Adam Simon
It will be tough for Michigan if they lose both Perkins and Etling!! I am surprised that Perkins hasn’t gotten a roster spot yet. Could a Chad Kelly be sunk across the border or does he have too much baggage?
by Ken Granito
I agree. I love both Danny Etling and Bryce Perkins. They still have the heart to play when so many 4th stringers just retire instead of taking the chance and actually play football. I can’t believe the Titans have not signed Perkins. First and foremost he would just be good to have Cam Ward around. I could even see how he would get playing time this year.