When Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo began his evaluation on Matt Corral, it may have been a case of love at first sight.
On Thursday, the team released its much anticipated 2022 episode of “Panthers Confidential.” The 24-minute production pulled the curtain back for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look inside the franchise’s work through this year’s draft.
Included in that look was Carolina’s journey to corralling who they hope to be their quarterback of the future. And no one in the organization, perhaps, was more excited to land the Ole Miss standout than the man who’ll be inside his ear from here on out.
Not too long before general manager Scott Fitterer made the move for Corral on the second day of the draft, McAdoo ran down what he liked about the 23-year-old passer.
“Liked his arm strength and his accuracy his really good,” McAdoo said to the rest of the team’s war room that Friday night. “He’s got good feet and athleticism, good rhythm in his body. He’s got good speed. I think he has a chance to be really unique.”
Well, all that was left was to trade up to that 94th overall pick and select the player that much of the braintrust—including head coach Matt Rhule, assistant general manager Dan Morgan and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan—was quite certain on.
Then, when they did, McAdoo hopped on the call with his guy and let him know what was up.
“Let me tell you something, you hit the lotto coming here, man,” he said to Corral. “I loved you from the beginning. All right, we’re going to get you in here, we’re going to get you spinning it, you’re gonna have a lot of fun in the process.”
So, if McAdoo’s publicized and spot-on feelings on previous prospects are any indication, everyone in Carolina is going to have a lot of fun with their brand new toy.
Check out the entire episode, which is well worth the watch, right here:
[pickup_prop id=”23976″]
[lawrence-related id=653730,653447]
[listicle id=653686]