Panthers Wire mailbag: What fans want to know ahead of Week 2

The Carolina Panthers are entering Week 2 with more questions than answers. Fans are curious about what is next for the franchise and how the team should approach this weekend’s upcoming matchup against Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers.

So as we continue to recover from the humiliating season-opening loss in New Orleans, let’s reach into this week’s edition of the Panthers Wire mailbag and answer some of your inquiries …

(Note: Some questions have been edited for length and clarity.)

Expectations for Week 2 vs. Chargers

What are your minimum expectations on Sunday against the Chargers? – Bridget S.

This is going to be a physical football team in the trenches, which is likely to be an issue for a run defense that is expected to struggle going forward without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown. And frankly, it may be another rough showing and another tough loss.

However, here are a couple of my expectations for the matchup:

• Quarterback Bryce Young shows better footwork. This was a key reason why several of his passes were overthrown, misfired or intercepted. His offensive line is much better this season and they gave him chances to step up and throw. Young must learn to trust his line and step into throws when the pocket is given.
• The Panthers establish the run. Head coach and play-caller Dave Canales must start the game with consecutive plays on the ground. Running back Chuba Hubbard was given sizable creases to hit as the hog mollies generated good movement at the line of scrimmage. A heavy dose of the run game could give Carolina a chance this weekend.

Setting the tone for the season

In your estimation, has the blowout loss to the Saints already set the tone for the rest of the season for the Panthers? – Ed H.

Week 1 was not only a nightmarish start to their 30th season, but also a dark day in Panthers franchise history. To answer Ed’s question—Sunday shouldn’t have been the tone-setter for the year, but it might be an indication of things to come.

As I told Bridget, Carolina’s run defense will be the biggest flaw on this team moving forward. The Saints exposed the lack of adequate personnel to competently defend the rush.

Offensively, I see easy fixes—and the biggest thing for them to do is commit to a heavy dose of Hubbard and Miles Sanders. Then, once healthy, rookie Jonathon Brooks will be featured more than the latter.

Canales is a smart coach and is not afraid to hold himself accountable. Taking a page out of former interim head coach Steve Wilks’ 2022 game plan would give Carolina a chance to use the ground-and-pound approach to stay competitive in games.

If this is the case as the weeks go on, a couple of wins could be on the table for this football team.

Expectations for Bryce Young after Week 1

How much longer will Bryce Young embarrass himself before the Panthers admit he isn’t going to work out as the QB? – Joel B.

Young’s start to the season was about as bad as it gets—as he completed 13 passes on 30 attempts for 161 yards and two interceptions. I highlighted his game in my latest film review, and his footwork was below-average—causing many of the inaccuracies from his errant afternoon.

It would be ill-advised if Carolina benched Young at any point in 2024. He’ll likely get this season and most of the next to establish himself as the team’s franchise quarterback. There are still 16 games left and plenty of time for him to settle in.

The lack of preseason snaps is certainly a factor in Young’s underwhelming start. It might take him another week or so to get into a rhythm and find his groove for the rest of the way.

Young can be the star many expected him to be before last season. He had a bad performance to start the year and has raised doubts, especially from Joel.

But it’s the first week with many to go. Carolina is not a playoff team and the year should be seen as a time for growth and development in a rebuild.

Looking ahead to the NFL Draft

Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, the Panthers are likely to pick in the top five again in the NFL Draft. Should the Panthers use their first pick on QB? Or another position? – Jack L.

It’s too early for me to make a definitive statement on where the Panthers will be selecting from in the 2025 NFL draft. We’re three weeks into the college football campaign and entering the second of the league’s regular season. There is a long way to go before prospect evaluations on my end are even a thought.

Yet, it is fun to play with some hypotheticals . . .

Let’s say Carolina finishes 6-11. It likely gets them, at best, the fifth overall selection in April’s draft. There are several options to go by—like taking an offensive tackle, defensive lineman, edge rusher, cornerback, wide receiver or even another tight end.

My way-too-early take is that if the Panthers have a top-10 selection, it should be a pass rusher. The franchise has avoided drafting one fairly high, even when Brian Burns was still around. It’s time for the team to address it once and for all, and add an influx of youth off the edge.