Will Dubuque Native QB Jack Plummer Make an NFL Roster?

Throughout the summer, I've been keeping tabs on a quarterback whose roots began in Dubuque long before he saw action at three different colleges. His time bouncing around the NCAA eventually led him to an unlikely stint in the NFL.

With the conclusion of the preseason, the question is simple: will Jack Plummer make the Carolina Panthers' roster or will he be cut and forced to find a new football home?

Who is Jack Plummer?:

If you need some backstory, I'll give you a quick little rundown: Jack Plummer is a 24-year-old quarterback who played college football at Purdue, California, and most recently, Louisville, for his fifth and final season of college eligibility.

Unfortunately too, that's where Plummer's connection with the region starts and stops. Shortly after he was born, him and his mother moved to Gilbert, AZ, where he began his journey to becoming a college quarterback. His first opportunity at Purdue lasted three years (2019 - 2021) until he was benched in favor of Aidan O'Connell (the current Las Vegas Raiders quarterback).

From there, Plummer transferred to California for the 2022 season, where he led the team to a 4-8 record. After Cal, he transferred again, this time to Louisville, where he led the Cardinals to a 10-2 record and a subsequent trip to the 2023 ACC Championship Game against the Florida State Seminoles.

How Has Jack Plummer Looked in the NFL?:

Plummer's best NFL outing undoubtedly came over the weekend, when the Panthers hosted the Bills in their final preseason outing. Plummer completed 21 of 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, playing most of the game and helping secure a win over the Bills.

Overall, Plummer has completed 63% of his passes (43 of 68) for 406 yards and two touchdowns over the course of three preseason games. His first two games were a little rocky and unremarkable, but he showed enough flashes on Saturday to suggest he'll stick around as QB3.

Will Jack Plummer Make an NFL Roster?:

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This question is tough to answer, but will reveal itself in the coming days. As of now, Jack Plummer would serve as the third quarterback on the Panthers roster, especially after an injury to potential third-stringer Jake Luton earlier this preseason. Furthermore, his position would be easy to define. He'd be behind second-year starter Bryce Young and NFL veteran Andy Dalton.

It's a situation that wouldn't be too dissimilar to the one in which Brock Purdy found himself his rookie year, sitting behind second-year starter Trey Lance and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo.

However, there's always the possibility that Plummer could be cut by the Panthers and forced into free agency. He could end up on another team's practice squad, or maybe even the Panthers'. Either way, I think the most ideal situation for the young signal caller would be the Panthers for these reasons:

• He'd be able to sit behind a noble veteran in Andy Dalton, who could serve as a mentor.
• He'd have an offensive-minded coach in Dave Canales, who helped resurrect the careers of quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield.
• This is a stretch, but I do think Bryce Young is on thinner ice than is believed. He struggled mightily last year, and if he continues to do so this year (for reasons not entirely his fault), I could see a switch at quarterback late in the season, which might open up the opportunity for Plummer.

There is my two cents on a quarterback whose NFL journey went against all odds, and is still uncertain heading into the final week of August. If you're curious to learn more about Jack Plummer and his college career, read my very first piece on the quarterback here!