Welcome to Part Two of our weekly mailbag!
Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of our weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! This week’s topic of the week was Bryce Young, and the future of this team. You brought the heat with some questions! To recap, Brian Answers is the follow up to Brian Asks, where you asked your questions in the comments earlier this week. Come find your answers to those questions!
Bruce Guild: Keep or improve draft position or win out and build momentum for next year? What matters most?
I think somewhere in the middle is best. If the Panthers offense continues to show out (and more specifically, Bryce Young) that will build momentum on its own. However, part of this season is showing the Panthers are creating a culture and shaping a clear direction forward, so a win or two would certainly help with both reinforcing the ideas that Dave Canales is coaching and to keep this locker room on board with them. Obviously, if the Panthers win out, their draft pick will be much worse than if they do. But I do not expect them to give up, so many more hard fought close games should be in our future.
@WTMealey: Is it Bryce’s job to lose now?
After KC we were saying what does Bryce need to do earn the job for 2025
My question now is how bad a regression would it take for him to lose the job in these last games?
How much grace has he earned? How long is his leash? How many ways can I ask the same question?
I can all but 100% for sure say that Bryce Young is starting the rest of the season. I see no reason for Dave Canales to take him out even if he has a coming back to Earth game or even a really bad game. Bryce has shown enough in his second stint as a starter that there’s something there to explore. He seems to have his team behind him as well. Dalton taking over doesn’t really accomplish anything for a team that is out of the playoff race.
Good_Ol_Boy: What was your favorite movie that you saw (streaming or in the theatre) this year? Or TV show if you’re not into movies.
Favorite TV show (sorry TXPanther I saw your answer too) was definitely The Penguin. Great show from start to finish. Highly recommend to any Batman fan or fan of The Sopranos/shows of the like.
Favorite movie? Man, I did not realize how few new movies I’ve seen this year. Share your recommendations in the comments!
KeepPounding88: What will Bryce have to show you (and our front office) next year to prove that he’s our franchise QB? In other words, what would his stats have to look like for you to feel comfortable paying him a big money contract?
I’d like to see a continuation of his passing yard totals since he took back over the starting job. Continued progress with his intermediate and deep balls. But as far as stats go, it is hard to say since this team will likely be run focused next season regardless. I think the biggest one is going to be wins, and multiple touchdowns as a passer in more games.
bolshy: If no one else was around, would you eat a Bojangles biscuit that you dropped on the living room carpet?
Without question, yes.
e4*: Which is the superior FF restaurant desert – the Frosty or the Blizzard (specifically Oreo)?
Oreo Blizzard all day. Big fan of the mint blizzards I’ve had in the past as well.
Senanima: It’s me. XL Stan.
At one point Jamarr Chase was under several busses because he couldn’t catch a football. He was in fact drafted to catch said footballs as most Wide Recivers in the professional footballing world are known to be drafted for. We seem to have a similar issue where a mans cannot catch footballs.
Do we have the technology? Is there a football catching guru out there? Perhaps an app even. Can we fix the future face of Bojangles for the good of our team and it’s wonderful, gracious fans?
Legette was a very raw draft prospect, and it shows in many of his mistakes and errors. He can definitely fix the catching issues, but it is something he will need to actively work on. Focusing on the ball through the catch point, making hand catches, and body positioning both in his catches and in his routes prior to attempted catches can all be learned with proper coaching and training. But that last part is up to him. Rooting for him.
RebuildingSince95: If Evero moves on next year, who does DM and DC bring in as DC?
I don’t see a reason for Evero to move on unless he’s fired or gets a head coaching job. The Panthers are paying him a lot of money and should be heavily investing in the defense next season. But, if he does move on, Robert Saleh is an obvious candidate. I’ll also pick a random name out of a hat and say Eagles Defensive Backs/Passing Game Coordinator Christian Parker, cause that guys getting a great deal out of some rookie CBs right now.
painting: Whose next up in the RB position? Looks like Chuba needs some help. Blackshear is hurt, right? Practice squad candidate or a FA?
Panthers preseason veteran guy Mike Boone is the obvious candidate, though they also have TCU rookie Emani Bailey also hanging out on the practice squad with him.
TXPanther: How far ahead do we have to be to make Micah Parsons cry?
Two scores will likely get the Cowboys contingent of fans in Bank of America stadium booing the Cowboys.
Panthers75: With Brooks essentially out next year and XL’s dropsies do you think that muddies up what should be a defense heavy draft next year?
Not particularly right now. The Panthers will likely go to free agency to boost the wide receiver room if they end up cutting ties with Adam Thielen for cap reasons. They have enough picks to go grab a RB in the mid-to-late rounds without causing the defense to go unaddressed. I’m not all that worried.
dayneB12: With Brooks back on IR, it stands to question why this team drafted him in the first place. Drafting an already injured player at the most injured position seems like an ill-advised decision. From an FO perspective, why was this a consideration?
They liked him as a player and they liked his upside. Question the decision for many reasons all you want, but they definitely seemed to think they were getting a 1st round talent at a discount. And they were very cautious with him on his recovery. I can understand why people were and are still mad at the move. I just feel bad for the kid. Heal up, Brooks.
jhurst07: With Bryce stepping up and earning his 2025 season what is our biggest needs heading into draft and free agency?
Biggest need is defensive line, all of them. They could add a high first round talent on the interior next to Derrick Brown and it would do wonders for this defense as a whole. They could draft 3 pass rushers and I wouldn’t be upset at all. Behind that, they need to add safeties and corners for sure, however Evero seems to make things work with what he’s given there. So my priority on defense is front seven, specifically all defensive line positions. On offense, they definitely need to add some WRs. Not that what they have is bad, but it could use more to be a well rounded receiver room.
CusterFlux: Is BOA a safe place now for the emotionally sensitive? Thinking about going to see either the Cowboys or Cardinals.
Asking for the comments to answer this one as well, as I haven’t been to a game since 2016 Chiefs Panthers, a very different time for fans.
GooseCreek: With both Kuechly and Smitty through to the semi-finals for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I’ve made my hotel reservation in Canton for late July and early August. Want to meet up?
CSR meet up, anyone?
Thank you for the time fans! KEEP POUNDING!