This deal reunites Allen with head coach Ron Rivera (who held the same position in Carolina last season, when Allen was forced into the starting lineup due to Cam Newton's foot injury). Rivera obviously trusts Allen, although the latter must improve upon his 2019 performance if he is to back up Dwayne Haskins in 2020. Veteran Alex Smith is also in the picture, though it is uncertain at this time whether he will be able to continue his playing career because of his devastating leg injury in 2018.

The new regime in Carolina is wiping the slate clean in terms of the quarterback position. Cam Newton is on the trading block and will likely be released if a deal cannot be completed; Allen was just sent to D.C. and Will Grier (drafted in the third round in '19) will compete for the backup job with former XFL star P.J. Walker. The new starter is free agent acquisition Teddy Bridgewater. The Panthers will get back a fifth in '20 for Allen (which seems like good value for a player who was never supposed to be a starter).

Allen's value remains fairly low, especially since he is back in the same offense (under Rivera) that he struggled with last season. Grier and Walker have some keeper value in very deep leagues, while Haskins and Bridgewater appear to be the clear starter favorites now in Washington and Carolina, respectively. Smith's status is a total question mark at this point.