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[Carolina Panthers]

The Optimist: Signs of LIFE!

Hello CSR! I’m taking over this week’s version of the Monday Morning Optimist, and I’m very happy to do so. I decided to base my headline on Walker’s post from last week, thanks for letting me hijack this!

The Carolina Panthers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 30-27, an all around great effort that kept the Panthers firmly in “regular season matters” type of football rather than “how is this win/loss going to affect their first round pick” territory. They faced a Cowboys team that hasn’t been the best, but one that has been clawing for divisional/playoff supremacy. The Panthers went punch for punch with this very good offensive team after so many horrifically terrible starts to their games to kick off the season. The Panthers now sit at 3-3, with the ball firmly in their court as far as determining what legacy they will leave for their iteration of 2025. Let’s dive in.

What I Liked​

Rico Dowdle-Extremely Optimistic

Rico Dowdle called his shot this week, talking about his former team and how motivated he was to deliver a performance against them. He delivered, with a 30 carry, 183 yard rushing effort supplemented by a 4 catch, 56 yards receiving effort and a score to really nail the Cowboys down. I love Chuba Hubbard, but after the last two weeks Rico has amassed over 400 yards of total scrimmage yards. I can now understand why Dave Canales was mixing him in so much when Chuba was healthy. This offense will do its best work behind a bell-cow running back, and it showed once again on Sunday. He’s now earned the questions that will come once Chuba is fully healthy again, but I think based on how devoted the Panthers have suddenly become to running the ball, there will be plenty of yards to gobble up between the two of them. Rico was one of the value signings many pundits loved of the offseason, and over these last two weeks he’s proved all of them right.

Bryce Young-Optimistic

There will always be peaks and valleys with Bryce, and I get where the fan base is coming from with their criticisms of him, both on the field and in general as far as what he brings to the table. However, Sundays performance (to me) showed what kind of quarterback he can be, which is a guy who can spread the ball around, and get the offensive weapons into positions to succeed. Bryce went into a boxing match with Dak Prescott, and by no means was he perfect. But, he threw nice TD passes when they mattered to Tetairoa McMillan (twice) and Rico Dowdle. He didn’t have to be the engine on Sunday as much as the conductor, and I think that role suits him just fine for what this team and coaching staff is trying to do. Dave Canales isn’t asking him to throw the ball 50 times a game, and he delivered 3 TD passes when the Panthers offense needed him to score points. And he showed up and made the throws they needed in big time moments, such as the crucial 4th down conversion on the final drive to Hunter Renfrow. Bryce Young might not ever be Drew Brees, but if the Panthers continue to run the ball stubbornly like Canales stated he wanted to when they brought him in last year, this conductor role could work quite well!

Offensive Rookies-Extremely Optimistic

Tetairoa McMillan scored twice on a day where the passing offense wasn’t flying all over the place. Jimmy Horn Jr and Mitchell Evans both had catches with real implications on the drives. Trevor Etienne ran a couple of times when the team needed some extra yards without Dowdle on the field. This rookie class as a whole seems to be legit. And they are all contributing in a real way rather than simply because they are the only ones available, which is a far cry from seasons past.

Defense-Holistically Optimistic

The Panthers biggest weakness coming into the season was their defense, and they did their damnedest to try and fix it. The results were mixed throughout the first few weeks, but I think the unit is settling into something. I’m not entirely sure what that is, but through the last two weeks they’ve given up less than 70 yards COMBINED on the ground. This was against teams with very good running backs, even behind suspect offensive line combos. This has allowed the defense to keep the Panthers in the game, and luckily their offense is delivering just enough that they are now 3-3 and control their own destiny. George Pickens picked this defense apart, but when it mattered, this defense was able to make just enough plays against a very good offense.

This iteration of the Panthers is not the roaring defensive juggernauts of the past with several Pro Bowlers on the defensive line and at the linebacker position that we’ve come to enjoy from past memories of this franchise. But we are seeing some core players like Derrick Brown, Jaycee Horn, Tre’Von Moehrig, and Nick Scott push this defense to be greater than the sum of their parts. Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace were once again huge contributors for this defense instead of major issues, something I would not have expected after a dreadful first four weeks of the season. They make mistakes, but keeping a white hot Dallas offense from putting this game out of reach is a major testament to this defense, even without the pass rushing statistics and turnovers you want from a higher end group.

The Panthers managed to beat a Dallas Cowboys team that was very clearly trying to push back to the top of the conference. I’m not going to bother picking at what I didn’t like or feel pessimistic about, the Panthers are on a very rare win streak. Xavier Legette had an ugly play, but I’m not going to hammer him because the Panthers still won. This team won in about the most modern Panthers way possible; ugly smash mouth offense and sound but not flashy defense. Special shout out to the special teams unit as well, they played the field position game quite well on kickoffs, as Ryan Fitzgerald continues to be a weapon both as a field goal kicker and with his “dirty” kickoffs.

Let’s continue to enjoy these signs of life from the Cardiac Cats. Keep Pounding.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/carolina-panthers-scores-results/56267/the-optimist-signs-of-life

 

[Carolina Panthers]

2026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: LaNorris Sellers

Even though the 2025 NFL season just started, it’s never too early to look ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

Bio​

Sellers ended his high school career with a South Carolina high school state championship, Shrine Bowl MVP, and a 4.95 GPA. He decided to stay close to home, joining the Gamecocks and redshirting his freshman season in 2023. Last season, Sellers won the starting quarterback job and led South Carolina to an impressive 9-3 record in the SEC. His athleticism make him one of the more exciting dual threat quarterbacks in this year’s class.

Strengths/Weaknesses​

At 6’3”, 240 lbs, Sellers has the elite size that will make the transition to the NFL easier. That size does not diminish his athleticism, as he earned a spot in the 2025 Feldman freaks list – he wrote: “At 6-3, 245 pounds, Sellers measured in with just seven percent body fat this offseason. He squatted 555 pounds and hit 22 mph on the GPS. And his coaches say he’s just scratching the surface of how good he can be.” Add to that freakish athleticism an absolute cannon of an arm and advanced pocket presence and football IQ for his age (he won’t turn 21 until after his junior season), and it’s easy to see why Sellers is a hot topic around the draftnik world.

Sellers’ main weaknesses stem from his youth and lack of experience. He can occasionally rush things when under pressure, and his deep ball could use a bit more control and better placement. He also is not great at anticipation throws, instead relying on his physical talents to throw late into tight coverages.

Projection​

Most scouts compare Sellers to an advanced version of Jalen Hurts at the same point in his career, with a stronger arm and bigger frame than the reigning Super Bowl MVP. He is a true dual threat quarterback as he has the passing acumen to keep secondary players honest and the rushing acumen to keep the front seven terrified. Sellers has struggled a bit this season, seeing his passing touchdown percentage fall from 6% in 2024 to just 3.5% and his rushing numbers have plummeted. That is, at least in part, due to the struggling offensive line for SCar failing to open many holes and allowing too many sacks (which are counted as rushing yards for the QB in college). Sellers also suffered a concussion against Vanderbilt, which has undoubtedly affected his play since then.

The Panthers have not had a true dual threat quarterback since Cam Newton, and many fans are starting to sour on Bryce Young’s inability and/or unwillingness to push the ball deep. Sellers would absolutely throw the ball downfield and would provide Dave Canales with a ton of new wrinkles in the running game. Sellers is also a local kid, and don’t overlook the fact that Dave and Nicole Tepper just donated a ton of money to South Carolina’s business school, leading the university to rename their Sports and Entertainment Management department after them. Sellers is definitely a project, but would be a project that would definitely get Panthers fans excited.

What do you think, Panthers fans? If LaNorris Sellers is available when the Panthers select in the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...6-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-lanorris-sellers

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Pat Jones is out for the season

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that edge rusher Patrick Jones II is out for the season as he undergoes surgery on an injured back.

Pat Jones II is out for the season, #Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters today, with a lower back injury. Here’s the full answer with follow-ups. pic.twitter.com/5bQqp5iL0G

— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) October 15, 2025

As Canales points out in the press conference, Jones finished the game and from the outside, there weren’t any clear signs of any ailments. But apparently his back was bothering him and it must have been debilitating when he woke up on Monday. Canales refused to give specifics on what the injury is, but clearly they feel it’s something serious if they’re so quickly going the route of season ending surgery.

With Jones out, rookies Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen will get even more reps as the competition for snaps on the edge further dwindles. Unless the Panthers make a move, those two and DJ Wonnum are going to the vast majority of the snaps there.

It’s a tough blow for a unit that’s been starting to gel and putting some improved performances on tape. On the bright side, we get to watch the youngsters more, but that’s probably going to come at the expense of more consistent play, at least in the immediate future.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...panthers-news-pat-jones-is-out-for-the-season

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers Reacts Survey Week 7: I’m once again asking you for a win total prediction

The Carolina Panthers are hot on their first multi-game win streak in ages. Dave Canales has committed to the run. Bryce Young is playing mistake-free football. Ejiro Evero has figured out what linebackers are for and where they go Things are looking pretty rosy in Charlotte as the Panthers are .500 for the first time since Sam Darnold came to town.

Their next two games, however, are classic Panthers losses in waiting. The New York Jets are a winless, hapless mess. They are exactly who the Carolina of old would show up completely unprepared for. They are also on the road, a spot that has been trouble for Young and Canales both. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, are a good team the Panthers have no business beating. They will also be coming off of a loss and a bye week. 3-5 through eight weeks feels more likely than 5-3, though 4-4 in any combination is certainly on the table.

We know that confidence is going to be riding high off of two consecutive wins, so let’s take another look at our season win total predictions. We asked this question before the season and after the Panthers opened the season 0-2. Now that your favorite team is 3-3, Panthers fans, how many games do you think they’ll actually win this season?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Panthers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ge...e-again-asking-you-for-a-win-total-prediction

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers vs Jets: Offensive preview

The Carolina Panthers hit the road feeling their oats after back to back home wins and three wins in four contests. They’ve averaged 29 points per game in those three wins, and the offense has looked rather potent. However, all three of the wins have come at home. Road games have been an entirely different story. In three away games thus far, the Panthers offense has generated just 15 points per game, and that’s with the benefit of the Cardinals defense almost handing the Panthers late touchdowns in Week 2 as they almost choked away that game. If we break it down, it’s probably fair to say the Panthers offense has had one competent quarter out of 12 played on the road this season.

If there was ever a team that could help the Panthers cure those road blues, it these New York Jets. They are one of the worst teams in the NFL this season and are the only team yet to win a game. They don’t really have anything going for them outside of a couple of players, and that bodes well for a Panthers team that was in that same spot not too long ago.

The Jets have a somewhat weird defensive profile with very clear strong spots and very clear areas of weakness. Here’s what the Panthers can do to attack it.

• Get the tight ends involved, especially in the red zone. Ja’Tavion Sanders has returned to practice as he works his way back from an ankle injury. If he’s able to give it a go, he gives the Panthers a receiving boost in the middle of the field. The Jets have struggled to contain tight ends this season, especially in the red zone. In the last three weeks, they’ve given up five receiving touchdowns to tight ends, and four of those have come from inside the 20. The Panthers can continue to lean on their ground and pound offense to move the ball down the field, but they should be aware that there will probably be openings for Sanders, Tommy Tremble, and Mitchell Evans as the team gets close to the end zone.
• Keep riding the hot hand on the ground. It looks like Chuba Hubbard is going to be back this week. You never want a player to lose his job to injury, and we all love Chuba, but you can’t take the ball out of Rico Dowdle’s hands too much with how well he’s been playing in Hubbard’s absence. Dowdle has dealt with cramps late in both of the two games he started, so I’m sure he’d welcome some relief, but he should probably still get at least a slight majority of the carries. If it were up to me, I’d probably shoot for a 60/40 split in favor of Dowdle unless there’s a clear discrepancy in effectiveness between the two. Hubbard’s return should be additive both in that he’s another good player for the offense and he should keep Dowdle fresh and explosive throughout the game.
• Take care of the football. This is important in every game, but it’s worth being extra mindful of against a team that’s probably going to struggle to move the ball consistently. The Jets offense looks bad but not terrible on the statistical surface, but a lot of their production has come late in games that they were losing. In fact, of the 11 touchdowns they’ve scored this season, seven have come in the fourth quarter. All that to say if the Panthers aren’t able to score, the defense should be able to help them out against a Jets offense that isn’t super threatening. The last thing they need to do is give a struggling offense a short field to take advantage of. As long as they do that, they’ll get ample opportunities to score.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...panthers-vs-jets-offensive-preview-nfl-week-7

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Don’t call it a trap game

The 3-3 Carolina Panthers are heading to New Jersey to take on the 0-6 New York Jets. Coming off an impressive, but far from easy win, against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 and looking ahead to a Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, many Panthers fans are worried that the Jets present a classic trap game. That is, they are worried that the Panthers will lose to a worse team by showing up to MetLife stadium underprepared and overconfident.

There are two big reasons the Panthers can’t overlook the Jets: the core of their remaining offense and the location of the game.

The mismatch​

The winless Jets are not exactly imposing on paper. Quarterback Justin Fields has been unwilling or unable to push the ball down the field in the passing game. This has resulted in only two wide receivers on the team seeing more than ten targets through six games. They are Garrett Wilson with 56 targets and Josh Reynolds with 12.

Wilson has already been ruled out of the game with a knee injury and Reynolds was a DNP for Wednesday’s practice and a limited participant in Thursday’s with a hip injury.

The rest of their offense has been spread through running backs Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis, and tight end Mason Taylor. They are the only other players on the Jets with ten or more targets on the season, having combined for 63 targets out of the team’s 170 passing attempts.

This is going to put stress on the Panthers linebackers, the weakest part of their defense. The edge players, already terrible at getting pressure, will have limited time to make a play on Fields. The inside backers will have to be solid in coverage and their run fits to keep the Jets from moving the ball down the field in short, effective bursts. Leaning on the front seven is an easy recipe for beating the 2025 Panthers and it’s also the only way the Jets know how to move the ball right now.

The secondary will have to nominally cover the Jets remaining wide receivers, leaving only some safety help to assist in covering Taylor.

The Panthers should be able to manage this task. They just can’t afford to assume that they will because of the next factor.

They are winless on the road​

0-3 on the road is 0-3 on the road, I don’t care who you beat or even shutout at home. Something is wrong with the way this team started the season and they know it.

Until they knock off a better team than the Jets on the road, I trust the leaders on this team to keep their guys humble and focused on the week at hand. If they knock off the Green Bay Packers on the road in Week 9 and have a winning record down the stretch, then we can talk about Week 15 at the New Orleans Saints as a trap game.

This week, however? If the Panthers show up underwhelming and unable to string together a drive then that’s a consistent and already apparent problem with the way coaches prepare them for a game, not some dubiously present concept of hubris in a team that has historically struggled to tie it’s own shoes on a bus.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/general/56368/dont-call-it-a-trap-game

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers Injury Report & Transactions – Week 7

The Carolina Panthers front office is busy throughout the season with transactions, roster moves, and injury updates. Here’s what’s happening at Mint Street this week.

Injury Report

Good news for the Panthers offense this week as wide receiver Jalen Coker was a full participant in practice from Wednesday through Friday.

Guard Damien Lewis popped up not practicing over the past two days, so we’ll need to wait and see about his availability this week. Continuing on the offensive line, center Austin Corbett was a full participant this week as well. Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was a full participant recently and his presence is a boost for the passing game. Chuba Hubbard was a full participant today and his return could provide a nice one-two punch with the emergent Rico Dowdle.

On the defensive side of the ball, outside linebacker Patrick Jones II hasn’t practiced this week while defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton has been limited.

Transactions

Waived safety Trevian Thomas, then signed to practice squad

Thomas joined the Panthers this year as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Arkansa State. He got called up to the 53-man roster on October 1st and appeared in one game while on the active roster. He played 10 special teams snaps in the Panthers week five victory over the Miami Dolphins and recorded one tackle. He was then released this week, but after clearing waivers Carolina signed him to the practice squad the day after waiving him to keep him in the fold, though not in the 53-man roster.

Released offensive lineman Darrian Dalencourt from the practice squad.

Dalencourt lasted just one week on the Panthers practice squad before being released. The interior offensive lineman from Alabama was an undrafted free agent last year and spent the season on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. After being released by the Ravens he signed earlier this year on the Washington Commanders practice squad before being released with an injury settlement. His time with the Panthers was brief.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...53/panthers-injury-report-transactions-week-7

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Brian Answers: Bryce Young 5th year option, Rico Dowdle/Chuba Hubbard, and more!

Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! Many of the askers are singing a different tune than 2-3 weeks ago, as it seems now we’re talking more about a positive near and long-term outlook than before. You all brought the questions, let’s dive right in with my answers!

Bruce Guild: Is there any bigger question out there right now with the Panthers then Chuba and Rico?

I went ahead and linked the whole comment since you asked a few follow up questions that all have to do with the original question.

The Rico Dowdle/Chuba Hubbard question is certainly a valid one, and even at the end of the week Dave Canales would not tip his hand as to what the plan would be on Sunday. I think the Panthers will go for a more 50/50 split now that Hubbard is back in the fold, but I think (and hope) that the more frustrating thing I always saw with this rotation has ended; subbing one of them out after a play or two. I think if you want to maintain a two running back monster where both guys can be productive, you swap them out on drives, not snaps. At least until one needs to rest up a little bit. Rico definitely could use some relief, as in both of these last two games he battled cramps at the end of the game. However, I would not oppose riding the hot hand this year and turning the majority of snaps over to Rico and mixing in Chuba a bit more until that momentum fades.

As far as the future goes, the Panthers can actually move on from Chuba following this season without a huge cap ramification, though I don’t see them outright cutting him if they did extend an offer to Rico. If Rico continues on this pace, he’ll be looking for a big running back contract, but in theory they could afford to keep them both next season if they did extend an offer to Rico. His cap number in the first season would likely be pretty low, as is common with most new contracts since the player often receives a signing bonus up front that averages out over the course of the contract for cap purposes. They’d still have to figure out something the following season, as Chuba’s cap number jumps from $7.5 mil next season to over $9 mil the following year, when the camp of Rico’s new deal would start to jump up. But creative cap moves could theoretically keep the two together for a year or two, but I think a lot of us have PTSD after the Panthers chose to pay DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart big bucks in years past to share a backfield. That’s when I think a trade would make sense, but these conversations are all contingent on both guys being productive enough to pay them going into the offseason.

DannyLimes: Is this really a Steve Wilks revenge game against the panthers or is it a Jets revenge game against the world? Making us watch Justin Fields play quarterback feels like a personal vendetta against humanity.

I do think Steve Wilks will have something to prove this week, and conveniently the strength of his Jets defense will be contesting against the strength of this Panthers offense in the run game. But from a big picture perspective I agree, the Jets are likely just desperate for a win.

Randalpink11: I believe that having success on the road has a lot to do with coaching (on and off the field). We have not looked good on the road for a while, however this team looks a little different right now. I believe in DC and I hope he takes another step forward as a head coach by keeping this team up for a road game that could easly be just another road loss. Do you think we put it together on the road this weekend, or is this a “fall back to earth” game in which the Jets defeat us on their turf?

I hate being optimistic after consecutive good games from the Panthers, but I think all of the variables at play indicate this is the game of all games for the Panthers to put together a complete performance on the road. But the Jets aren’t going to be easy, they lost a hard fought game against a really good Denver Broncos team in London, and they likely are playing with some chips on their shoulders. This game could be really tough, and might end up depending on one or two big plays in an otherwise ugly exhibition.

bolshy: I know it’s early, but at this level of play, would you pick up Bryce’s fifth year on his contract.

I think if early season Bryce Young is gone and this version of Bryce we’ve seen for the last 4 weeks is the norm, you certainly consider picking up the 5th year option. I think most fans are more concerned about an extension since they aren’t sold on him long term, but I don’t think the Panthers need to worry so much about those conversations unless the offense continues to cook, and they somehow take the NFC South crown. Then we may be having those discussions. But as of right now, if this trend continues, I think you can pick up the 5th year option even if you aren’t sold on him during this off-season.

@WTMealey: What is the definition of a “game manager”?

Does BY end of game clutch performances elevate him beyond that?

I’m kind of making an arguement vs asking a question, but I think a game manager gets taken off the field on 4th and 4 and you kick the 50+ yd FG-agree or disagree?

I went ahead and linked the comment because there were a lot of fantastic responses to the question about defining a game manager. My personal definition, a game manager is a guy that doesn’t lose you football games. They don’t throw for 300 yards or 4 TDs on their own, but they also don’t kill your offense by trying to do too much. Much like I said in The Optimist, the game manager is more a conductor than the engine for an offense.

I don’t know if Bryce’s performances elevate him past a game manager, if only because it hasn’t been as consistent as you’d like to see from the upper echelon of quarterbacks. But at the same time, I think we can all agree that when Bryce is on, he’s REALLY ON. But we haven’t seen enough of that yet to really form a definitive opinion. I will say, the faith in Bryce on a 4th down and the game situation to go get a first down is quite a good indicator, but I think Canales made a calculated risk against the Cowboys since their defense was playing badly and he knew their offense could win the game if he didn’t go for it. So I think that decision was a combination of faith in Bryce during the waning moments in a close game, and simply working the analytics of 4th and short after that defense got beat up all game.

SnarkyComet: If a team offered us two firsts for Derrick Brown at the deadline should we do it?

I would not do it. Sure, Derrick Brown is getting paid top DL money, but he definitely deserves it. The Panthers brought in reinforcements along the defensive line which certainly helped, but the front seven as a whole is just so markedly improved with Brown playing and healthy. I don’t think you trade away one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the NFL away for a chance to draft other really good players in the future. Brown is a leader on this team and he’s earned every ounce of respect he’s gotten. So I’m out on that trade, even if the Panthers lose every single game left in the season.

ProwlSports: What are the odds Tmac gets offensive rookie of the year? Who else would he be up against if he stays on the track of his first few games?

It is definitely a strong possibility. Now that he’s scoring touchdowns, he definitely should be at the top of the list. I think Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Quinshon Judkins, and Ashton Jeanty could take precedent, but he’s in the conversation right now.

gsbshsb: Yes, it’s too early – but what is the updated draft priorities for 2026? Right now, a 1st round selection of Jermod McCoy (or whoever is the top corner) and a 2nd round selection of an LB like Harold Perkins Jr. sounds good to me…

I think you could make an argument for ILB, S, and OL as the top priorities. The linebackers for Carolina are currently playing better, but the defense is instantly better with a high end inside linebacker. Nick Scott is not under contract for 2026, so the Panthers will need to find a safety to occupy the deep middle role he’s currently playing. And as good as the Panthers offensive line has been, they’ve been battling injuries, and with Taylor Moton and Austin Corbett getting up in age, I’d like to see them add some more young blood, specifically at tackle, to build on those trenches.

I also think you could make an argument to add another edge rusher, since the Panthers seem to use at least 4 consistently, and no matter how you feel about the two rookies from 2025, that group could definitely use some more juice to add more pass rush production in the future.

Chef: I know there are some detractors, but don’t you think the black helmet with the all blues is our absolute best looking uniform combination? #killsilver #embraceblack&blue

I absolutely love it any time the Panthers go with the all blue look, and I think the black helmets further enhance the look. I am with you on this one, though the all black will always be pretty gnarly with Process Blue.

schrodingersblackcat: Let’s assume we find our steady “game manager” at QB, either by moving on from Bryce for a veteran bridge QB or by Bryce becoming more consistent. A lot of fans can easily point to position groups needing upgrades, but it feels like our young roster is setting us up for a window of opportunity to really compete in the not too distant future.

If everything goes our way and the current trajectory of our rookie class and other young players on the roster holds its course over the next couple of seasons, how many drafted/signed “NFL-good-to-great” players are we away from being a serious contender for the Super Bowl in 2027?

I’d say you could realistically compete if you add another high end starter at OL, DL, EDGE, and CB. You probably need a few serviceable rookies, so I’d say 8-9 “good-to-great” players, which is certainly more than possible in two drafts and free agency periods, if you don’t see much turnover with the current young core.

KeepPounding88: Do you see us making any trades before the deadline? If so, who’s in and who’s out?

I could see the Panthers adding an interior linebacker, though I think that will be for depth purposes more than replacing the current starters. Maybe they add a veteran edge rusher on a bad team, since Patrick Jones just got knocked out for the season this week. I’d also like to see them add an offensive lineman if they can, since the regular nicks and bruises are already starting to add up. But unless things turn bad really quickly these next 3 weeks, I wouldn’t expect Carolina to be selling any players that are currently helping them out. I also wouldn’t expect any blockbuster acquisitions at the trade deadline.

That’s all for this week, Panthers fans. Join us next week for another edition of the mailbag, enjoy Sunday, and KEEP POUNDING!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...ear-option-rico-dowdle-chuba-hubbard-and-more

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers vs Jets: Open game thread

The Carolina Panthers are on a two-game winning streak stretching back to the Week 5 of the 2025 regular season. Some might think the biggest test during this unprecedented stretch of success will be Carolina’s Week 8 home game against the Super Bowl-favorite Buffalo Bills. They would be wrong. The biggest test is going to be the winless New York Jets on the road.

The Panthers have yet to show up ready to play on the road and they are facing an opponent they should be able to competently handle. It’s a real nightmare scenario for a franchise that is slowing re-earning respect from its fans and opponents.

What does that mean for today’s game? We’re all about to find out together.

This is your open thread to follow along with all the action today.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...-york-jets-panthers-fan-discussion-nfl-week-7