Jan. 7, 2018 was the last time the Carolina Panthers could call themselves a playoff team. So, as of the publication of this post on June 21, 2022, it’s been 1,626 days since the franchise has experienced any actual viability.
Will that streak, though, stop this season—before it extends into the 2023 campaign and straight into the 2,000-day mark?
According to NFL.com contributing columnist Adam Schein, don’t count on it.
Schein recently ranked the league’s most playoff-deprived teams based on their likelihood to end their respective droughts. (A drought in this context, by the way, is at least a three-year absence from the postseason.)
But Carolina, whose drought currently sits at four, is the third least likely squad to snap out of it in these rankings.
“If the Panthers trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, I reserve the right to bump them up a few spots in this pecking order. Like up to fourth,” Schein writes.
“If the Panthers trade for Baker Mayfield, I reserve the right to drop them down a few spots in this pecking order. Like down to ninth.
“Fact is, Carolina has some solid pieces on defense. Christian McCaffrey, when healthy, is an absolute stud. There’s talent at receiver. But the quarterback position is currently a mess.
“Furthermore, Matt Rhule has been uninspiring. And the Buccaneers and Saints still reside in the division.”
The only two teams Schein puts below the Panthers are the New York Jets, who finished at 4-13 in 2021, and the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons. Ouch.
Unfortunately, however, he may be onto something. More times than not, you’re only as strong as your quarterback situation, and the Panthers have perhaps the most dire of them all.
Sam Darnold is still Sam Darnold. Matt Corral, although fresh and somewhat exciting, probably won’t be ready to lead a pro team too far just yet. And even if they get a Mayfield or a Garoppolo, will that be enough?
The bad beat, sadly, may just keep going on.