Carolina Panthers fans finally have a reason to smile.
After only two wins in the entirety of last season, expectations were at an all-time low.
With many changes in the offseason, from general manager and front office staff to head coach and offensive backroom staff, it was clear to see positive changes were being made.
Got to be happy with that, right? We have been fooled by that before!
Many changes have been made in the David Tepper era since 2018. Any change made in Carolina is now greeted with caution as we have been let down so many times.
The first two games of the 2024 season proved why those insecurities exist. Across two games, Carolina lost by a combined 73-13 scoreline.
No touchdown passes were scored with three interceptions, while 729 total yards and eight touchdowns were allowed on defence.
Week 3, things changed offensively. Bryce Young was benched for veteran Andy Dalton, who put together a satisfying win against the Las Vegas Raiders. That win gave the offense an opportunity to showcase the hard work put in during the offseason.
Over the next four games, the offense continued to show signs of improvement, although the quarterback play became questionable and the defense were allowing 34+ points per game.
An injury to Dalton gave Young another lifeline. The first overall pick of the 2023 draft was able to pick up the offense that Dalton helped click.
Along with head coach Dave Canales he gave Panthers fans a first look of the quality he showed in college.
Carolina won two games in a row for the first time since 2022 in Weeks 9 and 10.
The best performance came in Week 12, forcing defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs to kick a walk-off field goal to win, and the same outcome for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following week in overtime.
Young’s revival is not the only cause for optimism in Carolina.
- 2024 first round draft pick Xavier Legette currently leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns.
- Fourth round tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has made some huge plays and proven to be a reliable target.
- Undrafted rookie receiver Jalen Coker is looking like an exciting young prospect.
- Running back Chuba Hubbard is having a career year as a top five back.
- With $153m spent on the first day of free agency on two new guards, Carolina are now playing with a top 10 offensive line lead by big money right guard Robert Hunt.
- The defense are also getting better each week by finally creating turnovers and sacking the quarterback.
With a young group getting better each week led by a talented and confident young quarterback, a first year head coach getting his feet under the table, a calculated general manager and a high draft pick coming up in 2025, the future is looking bright for the Carolina Panthers.
