The Carolina Panthers have hit a new rock bottom this season, as they suffered an embarrassing 40-7 loss at the hands of the (mostly Jayden Daniels-less) Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the sixth defeat of the campaign:
With Dalton now having thrown for multiple interceptions in two straight games, it's time to start the conversation about getting the former No. 1 overall selection on the field.
There is no telling whether or not playing Young will change things for Carolina this season. However, it is worth the look.
A lot has changed since Week 3 when Canales decided to sit his young signal-caller. And after a 93-yard passing performance helped lead to a 1-6 mark, it's not like things could be worse.
Young flashed in his lone drive against Chicago in Carolina's road loss two weeks ago, and played again in Carolina's final offensive series on Sunday. He is still a talented quarterback and deserves a shot the rest of the way, especially given Dalton's recent decline.
There's no right or wrong answer with how to approach this puzzle, but the outlook under center could change after the team's Week 11 bye.
Carolina arguably has the worst roster in the NFL, which has become evident with their league-worst point differential (-133). (No team, entering Sunday night's matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets , is even close to -100.)
Their lack of talent really shows on defense, where numerous injuries have given way to plenty of weaknesses. The Panthers have allowed the most points this season, giving their offense little room for error.
If the Panthers want to build for the future in hopes of any sort of success and competitive football, general manager Dan Morgan must rebuild their defensive trenches and their overall depth on the program.
This will not be an easy fix. There's a decent chance Carolina could be heavy sellers at the trade deadline on Nov. 5, which could accelerate the rebuilding process this offseason and allow them to get younger quickly through a bevy of draft selections.
The Panthers bestow over $41 million in cap space– that can be increased to at least $70 million with just a few moves. They also have nine picks in the 2025 NFL draft.
There are a couple of core pieces to keep on both sides of the ball—such as Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown , cornerback Jaycee Horn and guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. Yet, they must get younger, and committing to a full-blown rebuild could allow the Panthers to reap the benefits.
Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders had another productive outing. After amassing 49 yards in Week 6, he hauled in six catches for 61 yards—showcasing his receiving skill set that made him an intriguing selection in April's draft.
Stacking a good performance after another allows the Panthers to continue their evaluation of the rookie class. First-round wide receiver Xavier Legette , linebacker Trevin Wallace and nickel back Chau Smith-Wade have flashed throughout the season, while second-round running back Jonathon Brooks awaits his debut a year removed from tearing his ACL at Texas.
Sanders has flashed to be a threat down the seam and on middle-of-the-field crossers. It wouldn't come as a surprise to see him making plays and staying productive throughout the year.
Edge rusher Charles Harris has become somewhat of a decent find for Morgan and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. He now leads the Panthers with 2.0 sacks and has shown to generate pressure on the quarterback on a consistent basis.
How they both progress will be telling—especially in the case of Harris, who is looking for somewhere to stick around for more than two years.
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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson frustrated after loss to Commanders: 'I can't play every position'
Panthers QB Bryce Young is asked if he wants a fresh start elsewhere as trade deadline approaches
Panthers HC Dave Canales is asked if he'll bench Andy Dalton moving forward
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Biggest takeaways from Panthers' Week 7 loss to Commanders
