A day after the Panthers traded second year USFL offensive lineman Syrus Tuitele for “rookie” Talolo Limu-Jones the Panthers signed another Wide Receiver a couple hours before the year ended. Going back-to-back weeks of bringing in former NFL players, Panthers continued that trend by signing the 2018 Mr. Irrelevant Trey Quinn.
Quinn was the final pick in the 2018 NFL draft, coming out of SMU. Originally starting at LSU in 2014, Quinn transferred to SMU and after sitting out in 2016, Quinn totaled 114 receptions 1,236 yards and 13 Touchdowns, prior to declaring for the 2018 draft. Quinn seemed to warming up to then Redskins Quarterback Alex Smith, however a career altering injury to Smith and concussions for Quinn seemed to derail a promising rookie season for Quinn.
2019 would see Quinn’s most productive season a pro. The SMU grad was a safety blanket for the Washington Football Team’s quarterbacks totaling 26 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown in his sophomore season. However, the emergence of Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas and a regime change saw Quinn as expendable for 2020. Quinn would bounce between the Jaguars, Raiders, and spent 2022 with Broncos before getting released. Despite a couple workouts Quinn remained unsigned by a professional team until the Michigan Panthers signed him on New Years Eve.
After possibly losing Devin Ross to the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas Quinn bolsters a receiving corps of former NFL players with young raw talent in the mix. With the addition of Quinn the Panthers gain a quick slot receiver who also has the ability to stretch the field if need be. With questions at Quarterback for the Panthers coming into 2023, Quinn gives the team an experienced wide-out for whoever is under center this April for the Panthers.
Ken Granito
January 2, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Another one of those guys who have been on my radar for the USFL. Trey is at a crossroads. For him to stick in the NFL, he is going to have to prove it on a field during a game. He has already shown practice will not do it. That stated in this league a player who can consistently move the changes will be a huge addition. As seen last season proved with DBs looking to make a name for themselves he will have to learn to add a couple of YAC, while protecting himself. Ask anyone that has played football with me, good hands is my game and its his game so I am rooting for him to have a lot of fun this year, while contributing like he would have hoped out of college.