Kyle Allen will be feeling the pressure in London as he faces a sink or swim scenario.
According to NFL Media, which cited an unidentified team source, the Panthers quarterback could be playing for his position when Carolina takes on Tampa Bay at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Panthers initially had planned to place Cam Newton back under center once his Lisfranc injury is fully healed, but Allen's unexpected success has made the team reconsider.
Per the report:
If the team wins, the status quo reigns, as Allen likely keeps his job as Newton makes a slow and steady return to the field from his mid-foot sprain. If Carolina loses to Tampa Bay, it's up in the air, but potentially it paves the way for Newton to return to his starting post when healthy.
Even former Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, who made the trip overseas as an ambassador for the team, has noticed the difference Allen has made.
“Everyone is saying this team is better without Cam than (with) Cam,” Williams said, per ESPN.
Luckily for Allen, star running back Christian McCaffrey has helped make his job easier. He's averaging 29.6 touches per game over the last three games compared to 23.5 under Newton and has totaled a league-leading 587 yards rushing.
“I say this: They’re not asking Allen [to do] what they ask Cam to do,” Williams added. “That’s why the team is different. This is a West Coast offense, so when (offensive coordinator Norv Turner) took this position, he knew he had to tweak his offense. With Allen, all they’re asking him to do is throw the football and hand off to Christian.
“When Cam was the quarterback they had Cam running the ball, he had the RPO he had to worry about, he had to make sure the water was cold on the sideline, he had to make sure nobody came on the field when they wasn’t supposed to. He had to control a lot of things. Literally, all Allen has to do is read defense as it relates to running the ball.”
The Panthers are 3-0 since Allen took over under center and 4-0 with Allen as the starter dating to last year. On the other hand, Carolina had lost eight straight dating to last season with Newton at quarterback. He completed 50 of 89 passes for 572 yards with an interception and two fumbles in his two games this season.
Carolina (3-2) and Tampa Bay (2-3) face off in an NFC South showdown at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday.