There's no denying the 2022 Panthers' offense was defined by their running game. Whether you want to attribute that to Israel Abanikanda's terrific season or Kedon Slovis' shortcomings, generally speaking, if the Panthers were able to move the ball, it tended to be on the ground.
Things may not be so cut and dry in 2023. Sure, odds are they are going to be starting a transfer quarterback again, but the system could put more emphasis on the passing game.
Don't believe me? Ask the players who are coming into the system.
“The fact that we’re going to be throwing the ball, especially from the two guys that we brought in,” new transfer wide receiver Daejon Reynolds answered when asked why he chose to come to Pitt.
Those two quarterbacks are Phil Jurkovec and Christian Veilleux. Of the two, Jurkovec seems to be the safer bet to start. He has the previous relationship with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti Jr. back in their time with Boston College and is entering his final year of eligibility. Veilleux has three years remaining after serving as a backup at Penn State last season.
However, Veilleux was told he had a chance to start during the recruiting process, which is why he is moving west from Penn State.
“I don’t have any expectations, any commands," Veilleux said. "I just want to have an equal opportunity to start.”
Jurkovec threw for 1,711 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions last year for Boston College. Veilleux threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns in his 35 passes with Penn State. Neither player necessarily screams pass-first quarterback based on their college sample, but the allure, Veilleux says, is Cignetti's system.
Cignetti has a dozen years of experience as an NFL coach, bringing with him the potential for a more quarterback-centered offense.
“When I looked at the actual offense, the system – not what they put on paper, but what it’s all about – I saw the potential of what coach Cignetti has been able to do under this system," Veilleux said. "Just watching the film of what he’s put on of NFL teams running this stuff, what he did in D.C., there’s a lot of potential. Just because they ran a lot of run plays doesn’t mean this year’s going to be the same, right? It’s all about the personnel, who you have. Coach Cignetti is going to call plays that he feels comfortable with the guy under center.”
Last year, the Panthers knew they had Abanikanda and it was Cignetti's first year back with the program. The players, both returning and newcomers, recognized how that would influence the play calling.
"It was a new system they had just put in last year and they had a good running back," Lamar Seymour -- a true freshman three-star wideout -- said. "It was only right to run the ball."
Now, with an experienced quarterback in Jurkovec, a young transfer in Veilleux and a returning backup in Nate Yarnell, there's a chance to have a signal caller who can open the offense up and get the ball into the hands of the wide receivers more.
“I think I have the ability to be that guy," Veilleux said. "It’s going to be a great, competitive environment in the spring and summer in camp, and I can’t wait.”
For Veilleux, the transfer portal could have been avoided. He was recruited by the Panthers out of high school, but chose Penn State. After failing to usurp Sean Clifford in his two years there, he wanted to get a new opportunity.
Looking back on it, though, he doesn't have any regrets.
“If I went back, I still would have made the same decision," Veilleux said. "I don’t think anything would change from then on to here, but I’m extremely happy that I’m here now.”
And if he can click under a more pro-style offense, it will be worth the move.
"We have potential to do a lot of damage this year," Veilleux said, "and I expect to do just that.”
