Panthers Wire mailbag: What fans want to know ahead of Week 8

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Panthers Wire mailbag: What fans want to know ahead of Week 8

Jared Feinberg · Panthers Wire

Thu, Oct 24, 2024 ·

5 min read

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The Carolina Panthers enter Week 8 as one of, if the not very worst product the NFL has to offer.

Fresh off a 40-7 loss at the hands of the Marcus Mariota-led Washington Commanders —they're now at 1-6, haven't come within 10 points in any of their defeats and have allowed a league-high 34.7 points per game.

So, naturally, Panthers fans have some questions heading into Week 9 . . .

Note: questions have been edited for clarity.

Starting from scratch . . . again

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 10: General Manager Dan Morgan of the Carolina Panthers looks on before rookie minicamp on May 10, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

I believe the offense has some promising young pieces to build upon while the defense does indeed need a major overhaul. Do you think with the way this team is the Panthers should blow it up and start over again? – Jack L .

I'll answer this question by saying yes and no, Jack. There's a lot Carolina needs to fix, and that will require some player movement this offseason. However, I think there is some established talent that the team needs to keep in helping with the rebuilding process.

This is more so the first year of the Panthers' rebuild. They're lacking talent throughout their starting lineups, are missing depth down the roster and still don't have a definitive answer at the quarterback position.

No one expected Bryce Young to fall off a cliff and be benched after just two games. No one expected an injury bug to destroy a defense that had already lacked quality starters in the trenches. Yet, it shows that this team needs to utilize its resources to the fullest extent this offseason.

The Panthers have an offensive line that is considered one of the best in the league at the moment thanks, in part, to the additions of guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and a developing left tackle in Ikem Ekwonu . Defensively, injured linemen Derrick Brown may be the only true core piece that the organization can build around.

General manager Dan Morgan will have at least $41 million in salary cap room and nine draft selections that could increase if he chooses to move players at the trade deadline. Carolina's salary cap can easily be expanded to $70 million by offloading several players in the offseason.

This should be expected, and I believe Morgan and head coach Dave Canales want to get younger on both sides of the ball.

Younger defensive talent

Aug 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) throws the football as Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) defends during the second quarter of a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Do you think Boogie Basham and/or Jamin Davis are on the Panthers radar? Did they kick tires on Devin White? The dearth of talent on defense leads me to believe potential young talent over optimal fit should be in play here. – Brian D.

Basham and Davis wouldn't be the worst acquisitions. Brian's correct about the lack of talent on defense, and there should be an infusion of youth.

Davis is a bit of a question mark given how bad his tenure in Washington was. He's already considered a bust, but could use a change of scenery to make an impact elsewhere—and the Panthers defense need someone to do so.

Basham was waived by the New York Giants and could find a home quickly. With the Panthers higher up on the waiver wire again, he's certainly a possibility for the outside 'backer room that has been dealt a bad hand of injuries. It can't be worse than DJ Johnson, right?

Predicting the complete rebuild

Oct 13, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

What would be your two to three-year plan for rebuilding the Panthers? – Jordan H.

This would require a separate article in itself, Jordan. However, I will do my best to simplify my approach.

The focus this offseason should be to rebuild the defensive side of the ball and strengthen the front seven with quality talent. While free agency may be dull, Carolina must add more youth and acquire the personnel to execute whatever system is in place beyond 2024. April's selection process offers a deep group of prospects on all three levels of defense, giving the Panthers plenty of options this spring.

Finding the future of the franchise will not be easy. In this case, Young is no longer with the team and Dalton hangs up his cleats. Steelers quarterback Justin Fields would be my first choice as the bridge signal-caller to operate Canales' offense in 2025. I also wouldn't rule out the selection of one on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.

In 2026, under the assumption that the Panthers win at least seven to eight games due to an improved defense and consistent play at quarterback, the team attacks free agency to acquire a No. 1 playmaker on offense while continuing to increase and build their depth and choosing to trade up in the draft for the future franchise quarterback.

Getting healthy for success

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 15: Adam Thielen #19 of the Carolina Panthers takes to the field prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Should the return of WR Adam Thielen, S Jordan Fuller, and EDGE D.J. Wonnum bring me any hope at all whatsoever that the offense might get back on track to be average? Or should I just give up already? – Jen W.

To be frank, Jen, the return of these three players may not help matters—especially when the Panthers are giving up close to 35 points per game and one of the players you've mentioned could be available on the trade market.

There's a lot of unknowns with most things Carolina-related. Yet, I tend to lean more towards optimism with the outlook for the rest of the season—especially if the team can get healthy.

Wonnum might just provide an immediate impact for the Panthers. At this point, this defense needs a boost of energy and, hopefully, Wonnum can bring that. The return of Fuller will be critical in secondary run support, a strength of his and something that has been missed since Week 3.

Whoever the quarterback is after this weekend, having Thielen back on the field would be a boost to the offense. He has some of the best hands on the roster and will be a zone-savant in terms of finding open grass quickly.

Speaking of injuries, if Carolina can get linebacker Josey Jewell and pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney back sooner rather than later, this run defense would be better. Maybe not by much, but enough to increase third-down stops and big gains on the ground.