Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! These are the answers to all YOUR questions, whether they be Panthers related, football related, or even off topic! Let’s dive right in this week’s mailbag!
Bruce Guild: Why can’t we win the division.
I linked your whole comment just so others can see the context, but the Buccaneers are definitely not going to be an easy team to topple from the top of the NFC South. Of course, that’s assuming the team doesn’t
eat itself due to injuries, which seems to be happening right now. But Baker Mayfield is definitely in the MVP conversation, that offense and defense is just solid all around. They could be vulnerable against the run, which would work in the Panthers favor, but overall they are just a more complete team than the Panthers. And I think the first Falcons game was more of an anomaly and we’ll see something a lot closer when the Panthers face them again. But hey, the Panthers are at least in the conversation to win the division, which is a lot more progress than the last two seasons.
bulletooftony: Has Ickey’s play so far warranted another contract?
Also I am not sure how many picks we have in next years draft but what position do you think we are set on, as in no need to draft that? K, LS, and P do not count lol.
I think at this point Ikem Ekwonu is absolutely worth giving an extension. He’s certainly not an elite pass protector, but for the identity of what this team is trying to do, which is run the football and dominate the line of scrimmage, he’s doing just that most of the time. On top of that, offensive line retention is almost as important as having key depth to providing consistency at that position group. With Taylor Moton on the last legs of his career, I think retaining Ickey is a no-brainer at this point.
The Panthers currently have 7 picks next year, with two 5ths instead of a 7th thanks to the Adam Thielen trade (at this point). I would probably say RB is about the only position that couldn’t use additional resources, I don’t really view any other position as a spot that couldn’t benefit from an injection of young talent. Even if you’re sold on Bryce Young, the Panthers could use a capable backup. Andy Dalton isn’t getting any younger.
KeepPounding88: If Bryce continued on this current track (game-manager, doesn’t even get 200 passing yards in a game), would that be enough for the front office to pick up his 5th year option? I feel like they might be confusing a starting QB with a franchise QB.
I got basically the same question last week, but I will answer it again; I think at this point picking up Bryce Young’s 5th year option makes sense whether you are sold on him or not. The 5th year option is an entirely different conversation than an extension, and unless they brought in his replacement this off-season, and knew for certain they are moving on, having that added flexibility is good for the team. Currently, the value is right around $26 million based on Overthecap’s projections, which if Bryce Young is still starting isn’t the worst value for a starting quarterback. I’m not going to 100% throw my weight at yes just yet, since the Panthers have the full season and a few months into this off-season to make the decision, but I think the only reason you wouldn’t is if they are sure he will not be a starting quarterback in 2027. Which as of right now, I can’t say they would be in that position.
Old Dominion Panther: Hey, Brian! Time to put on your GM cap. With only a seven game sample to go off of, what would be your offseason plan of action (free agency, draft, extensions, etc.)?
In DM fashion, do you see any one particular facet of the team that you would want to aggressively address? For example, o-line in ’23 and run defense in ’24…
I would probably attack linebacker and continue adding to the front seven (specifically EDGE) as much as possible currently. I think Dan Morgan’s strategy of attacking the two lines aggressively is paying off, so I’d continue to bolster those two units. I would also add another difference maker in the secondary if possible. My boy Nick Scott has played admirably as the deep safety in this defense, but if they can add another high end safety to play the Earl Thomas over the top type guy, even if its not a household name, that would really help the other skill-sets they have at safety. In the draft, I would just bolster what you can. An offensive tackle to function as a backup to both spots and/or serve as the eventual Moton replacement would be high on my list, possibly even worth a first round pick. Adding another corner, another interior linebacker to develop (even if they sign one in free agency) would make sense, and more interior DL and EDGE players to continue building the rotation. The Panthers seem to have it right on both sides of the line in that having quality players on the interior as depth makes sense. If you can bring in another young EDGE to work with Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, especially if they add another veteran, only strengthens a rotation they are really trying to develop without unloading a ton of cash into it.
TXPanther: Who is going to take NFC West? The Seahawks were impressive last night. It was still one of worst coached games for both teams I’ve seen. Does the Seattle defense put them above the 49ers and Rams?
I don’t envy fans of that division. Aside from the Cardinals, the top 3 teams are all tied in record, and they all seem to be genuinely good football teams this season. I think the Rams will end up taking it off the back of a solid defense, but if the 49ers can get healthy and stay healthy I could see them taking it. Seattle is playing very well but I can’t bet on Sam Darnold in good conscience.
Randallpink11: Brian,
I am really beginning to believe in DC. I just like the way the team has been looking the last few weeks and I believe it has a lot to do with the environment he is creating. With that said…
What is the next step forward for Dave Canales to continue improving as a head coach? I am leaving this vague as I do not want to lead you in anyway. Have a great day, Brian!
I agree, Dave Canales definitely seems to have the buy-in from the players. They seem to hold each other accountable, it doesn’t appear to just be for show. The team definitely plays off of one another, and physical football styled around commanding the game flow seems to be what he’s going for.
I think the next step is the preseason preparation, both for the players starting and figuring out the depth. It seems like the coaching staff is kind of figuring things out as they go, which hey, adapting to your personnel on the fly is something I’d have killed for from the Ron Rivera iteration of the Panthers! This coaching staff seems to adapt and adjust well, but it puzzles me why they didn’t decide to play Brady Christensen until two rounds of injuries on the interior, and why they played Austin Corbett as the starting center when Cade Mays was so good last season and has been this year once he had to step in. Kudos though to them, they didn’t turn the job back over to Corbett once he was healthy again. But it seems like their evaluations of the personnel take a bit longer than it should. DJ Johnson definitely deserved a shot to prove himself, but to go from starting to cut in the matter of a week (which was the correct end-decision, by the way) is puzzling because you’d think they’d have figured out he wasn’t a good fit and cut him during the 53 man roster cutdowns.
I’m not sure if all of that lays at the feet of Canales, but I’d like to see the pre-work be a bit more consistent so they don’t HAVE to make such adjustments on the fly in the middle of the season.
Chef: Defensively, our best players (Brown, Horn) are really starting to make their presence felt. Who’s another defensive player(s) that is ascending that we should keep our 👀 on moving forward?
Other commenters mentioned Tre’Von Moehrig, and I agree 100%. Now that the defense is starting to settle into its roles he has been thriving as an all around weapon, both as a blitzer and run defender. Someone also mentioned A’Shawn Robinson, someone I don’t think many of us expected to have the impact he’s had since he first signed last year. He’s played well up to the contract he signed. Mike Jackson has attacked that role playing opposite Jaycee Horn well this season, he’s going to get beat sometimes but in general I think he’s still proving to be a solid addition.
My choice for a player to keep your eye on is LB Trevin Wallace. It hasn’t always been pretty with him, but after adding that green dot he’s been a different player for this defense. Its going to be peaks and valleys with him as a developing player who specifically needed seasoning with the on-field awareness and play recognition aspects, but overall I’m enjoying watching him attack the ball when he’s playing with certainty.
ericbuck: I’ve got two for you:
1) Do you think Dalton is going to have AJ Green flashbacks while throwing to Tetairoa McMillan?
2) Do you think the drop off in mobility from Young to Dalton will have a major effect on the offense? I think some of the plays Young has made on the move this season have gone underrated and am worried about Dalton if the initial play breaks down.
I think Dalton is going to feel like his younger self throwing to McMillan. The dude just makes some catches look easy, and gets open so effortlessly. Its been awhile since the Panthers have had a receiver that can be open when he’s not clearly open based on the eye test. I think that connection will pay dividends since Dalton can still sling it.
I am slightly worried about Dalton’s mobility, but I think that can be alleviated by having easy check downs. Dalton can get the ball out fast, so having Rico Dowdle or Chuba Hubbard running easier stuff in the flats might mask his inability to get out of the pocket and extend in the way Bryce Young does. Bryce has definitely made some plays with his legs that otherwise should have been negatives for the offense, but Dalton’s been around long enough that I wouldn’t expect an abysmal number of sacks.
Clemmentine803: With Moton’s career coming towards an end, based off the 2 draft DM has had. Should the panthers staff consider drafting o-line in the first round then try to find talent that slipped out of the first to fill the LB spot that is very much needed?
I think you add a 1st rounder that’s going to have an immediate impact, but that’s an admittedly harder task the later you pick in the round. If somebody is there at LB, S, EDGE that makes sense, I think you pull the trigger and don’t ask questions. But if your options are a CB, RB, WR, maybe you go ahead and just take the offensive lineman. Its so hard to answer these questions because the first round just falls in such weird ways no matter how hard we try to predict it. But I think if an ILB is there at their first round pick, you don’t overthink it and just take the guy. Impact is important.
Highmiles43: Any second thought’s appraisal on Dan Morgan’s ability to draft and choose personnel? It seems more of his choices are panning out.
This last draft definitely seemed like the Panthers were doing a lot more “value” picking than drafting for need. Tetairoa McMillan ended up just being an easy selection in hindsight, due to his impact and production right away. Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen were definitely picks of need, but it didn’t seem like they were picks of desperation. The final rounds of the draft all just seemed like value picks, and almost all of them are contributing in some fashion. I think year one was a struggle because the Panthers just didn’t have a normal supply of resources following the trade up in 2023 for Bryce Young, so that draft class was and still is wonky. But overall, the Panthers methodology in the off-season is making a ton of sense. I’m on board with Dan Morgan.
RebuildingSince95: Do you think White can pick-up the offensive playbook as quick as Flacco picked up the Bengals offensive playbook?
Probably not. But if he has to, the Panthers are in a world of hurt anyway.
GhostofPanthersPast: Is Hendon Hooker ready to play if Red Rifle gets injured? or Will Mike White being the backup
I think Hendon Hooker does play if something happens to Dalton. I would not expect a backup signed off the streets to pick this playbook up that quick, as stated above.
Revshawn: So what do you think the split is gonna be like this time around Brian? Do you think that they’re gonna give Rico the starting spot outright or do you think it’s gonna be a repeat of last week with Chuba/Rico doing alternate series?
I expect it to be more of the same, but I hope another healthy week for Chuba Hubbard makes him more effective. Rico might get the first series, but I still expect both to get a healthy workload, likely continuing to alternate series.
Jesse_Pinkman: Since Jakoby Meyers asked for a trade and reiterated about it, should the Panthers try to bring him in? Coker was a no show last game and Meyers can play in the slot too…
I would not even consider this trade, personally. We already have one Raiders castoff (sorry Rev) and that’s enough for me.
But real talk, I wouldn’t write off Jalen Coker after one game against a really good defense. He just got back from an injury and hadn’t played a snap all season. Give it time.
positivebob: Tyler Lockett is out there. Any interest?
Nah. As of yet I wouldn’t consider the Panthers group of receivers to be a problem. Now if there’s another injury, I could see them going for Lockett since they wouldn’t have to swing a trade.
ImOpen: Is it at all a possibility that Hooker could become a starting quarterback? Not now, obviously, but a few years down the road. I mean, he looked great in college a lot of the time. I know with the Lions he had opportunities and failed.
At 27 years old already, I would say no, but we’ve seen guys like Geno Smith revitalize their careers elsewhere.
That’s all this week, Panthers fans! Enjoy the Bills game on Sunday, don’t jump through any tables, and KEEP POUNDING!
