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!
