Which franchise-altering questions await the Carolina Panthers during what’s going to be another eventful offseason in 2023?
The Carolina Panthers are still mathematically in the NFC South title race. But they’ll have to give far more accomplished performances than their Week 15 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers over the three remaining games in 2022 to stand any chance.
Many fans gave up this notion long ago, focusing their attention on what’s going to be one of the most important offseasons in franchise history. And make no mistake, the pressure to get crucial decisions right is greater than ever before.
There’s been enough heartache to last a lifetime in Carolina since their memorable run to the Super Bowl in 2015. Now is the time to finally begin laying some solid foundations for a thriving future.
With this in mind, here are four franchise-altering questions than Panthers must answer in 2023.
Question No. 1
Carolina Panthers HQ conundrum
Now that the Rock Hill fiasco has seemingly been settled, it’s absolutely vital for team owner David Tepper to put a better plan in place regarding a new headquarters. Promises of an Avengers-style building turned out to be nothing but a dud, so the billionaire’s next move must provide the injection he’s been looking for since buying the Carolina Panthers from Jerry Richardson.
Fans are rapidly losing faith in Tepper’s ability to successfully run the Panthers. It’s going to be a long road back in pursuit of winning people over, but outlining proposals for the future new base in Carolina would be a good place to start.
Can the Carolina Panthers keep their top stars happy?
There promises to be plenty of roster turnover within the Carolina Panthers in 2023. Many players are either out of contract or facing an early chop, with the potential of a new head coach bringing different ideas something that could have big-time ramifications across the board.
A large number of Panthers players are going to be nervously looking over their shoulders next spring. But those in power must also find a way of keeping their top stars happy with little in the way of financial resources to call upon.
According to Spotrac, the Panthers are projected to have just $2 million in salary-cap space before sacrifices are made. Samir Suleiman will be working overtime to ensure all needs are accommodated, with a lucrative contract extension for stud defensive end Brian Burns among the biggest priorities.
Burns holds all the cards after the Panthers turned down a whopping trade offer from the Los Angeles Rams before the deadline. The former first-round selection has 10.5 sacks so far in 2022 and with an ever-growing influence off the field, this is going to be a potentially record-breaking deal for the franchise and perhaps even in NFL terms.
The likes of Matt Ioannidis and Bradley Bozeman are seeking new deals. One also cannot rule out the possibility of Jeremy Chinn looking for a bigger commitment to prevent complications when his contract expires in 2024.
There could be a surprise or two along the way – the NFL is a business after all. But how the Panthers approach this complex issue will go a long way to determining their fortunes in the short and long term.
Carolina Panthers must find a franchise QB
The foundations are there for the Carolina Panthers to be competitive, at the very least. However, there remains one dark cloud hanging over the organization that must be removed at the earliest possible opportunity.
It will surprise nobody that this centers on finding a franchise quarterback. Someone that can pick this team up and carry them to victory in times of struggle.
Sam Darnold is performing well behind a solid offensive line and a run-first mentality. But his limitations are glaring over a disappointing career so far and even if the Panthers do bring him back, it would likely be as a bridge option until someone else is ready to assume command.
Matt Corral has promise, but the Panthers don’t have a clear picture of whether he can start in 2023 after the Ole Miss product missed his entire rookie campaign with a serious foot injury.
As stated previously, money is tight no matter how much restructuring or releasing the Panthers manage. That means the most realistic avenue is acquiring one of the top signal-callers emerging from the college ranks next year.
There appears to be a consensus top four that warrant Carolina’s attention. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud might be gone unless the Panthers trade up, with Will Levis and Anthony Ricardson also gaining real momentum ahead of the all-important evaluation process.
It would be a shock if the Panthers didn’t end up with one of these aforementioned prospects. Which one they choose will be dependent on where they are drafting and this could be a pendulum-swinging moment for the franchise one way or another.
Carolina Panthers must choose their head coach
Before the franchise quarterback, the contract decisions, and the new headquarters, the Carolina Panthers must decide on their next head coach. Matt Rhule’s stint with the organization was nothing short of catastrophic, so another false move from team owner David Tepper won’t be tolerated by a fanbase that’s paid their hard-earned money to watch nothing but failure under his leadership.
There is growing support for Steve Wilks to have the interim tag removed when the time comes. The respected figure’s done a remarkable job in difficult circumstances, so Tepper could decide to give him the reins full-time when it’s all said and done.
Many within the national media are not so certain. Multiple reports suggest Tepper is after an offensive-minded coach to steer the Panthers back to prominence, although going down the college route is simply not an option after the significant gamble on Rhule blew up in Carolina’s face.
Wilks deserves the chance to pick his own staff and have a leading say in which quarterback comes into the fold. He’s reset the culture and picked up some notable success since replacing Rhule, but Tepper’s unpredictability and hair-trigger mentality means nothing can be ruled out at this juncture.
Again, this is a crossroad moment for the Panthers. The right man has a lot of talent to work with, so a few prolific acquisitions could take Carolina back into legitimate contention considering the current state of affairs in the NFC South.
But with Tepper, you just never know.