The past two weeks have been chaotic for the Carolina Panthers, marked by embarrassment, heartbreak, and necessary changes for the team's betterment.
Head coach Dave Canales has had to make tough decisions with his coaching staff in the last week, with potential roster personnel changes coming against the 6-2 Denver Broncos in Week 9.
The Panthers face major changes this weekend against Denver in what can only be described as a fateful, make-or-break battle as the trade deadline approaches.
Carolina Panthers are looking for a big response after massive staff changes
Canales's decisions included firing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and pass-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley, essentially Evero’s right-hand man. The Panthers are handing defensive play-calling duties to interim coordinator Todd Wash, the defensive line coach.
With Wash’s background in a one-gap attacking front, we could see immediate results in how the Panthers attack the backfield and the pocket. However, any substantial changes will take time.
“We're gonna try to set a culture on defense," Wash said. "We are gonna play fast, hard and physical. If we make mistakes, we're gonna do it at a million miles an hour."
Fans have already gained respect and a reason for hope with defensive improvements ahead of Sunday against a Broncos offense that boasts one of the league's best offensive lines.
Wash’s system could also allow more man coverage while keeping the same zone principles and structures with a single-high safety, but it may take a week to take hold. However, this isn’t close to the biggest concern for the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers offensive line has to come good against the Broncos
The biggest concern for the Panthers, by far, is their offensive line. This unit has been ravaged by injuries before and during the season, along with the underwhelming and sometimes untenable play from players such as left tackle Rasheed Walker and center Luke Fortner.
It’s time for the Panthers to start working on new combinations for their offensive line, whether that means starting rookie Monroe Freeling on his natural side or benching $100 million right guard Robert Hunt if his alarming slump continues for much longer.
The offensive line is a major part of the Panthers' evaluation of quarterback Bryce Young, who is up for a contract extension. General manager Dan Morgan wouldn’t hand down a new deal right now, with questions still unanswered after this recent stretch of play.
This unit is on life support, and it has hurt the entire offensive continuity. That is why changes could come from within and outside the roster before Sunday and the trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon.
Why Week 9 is a must-win game for the Carolina Panthers
This is a must-win for Carolina. For Canales, Morgan, the offensive line, and Wash, this feels like the most important game of the season after the last 14 days.
The Panthers will have to make some decisions at the trade deadline. With less than $1 million in salary cap space, Morgan and Brandt Tilis would have to restructure a current contract to make room for a new piece or two.
This feels like the perfect time for Morgan to make some sacrifices with draft capital to improve either side of the ball, but Week 9's game will be a big judge of what occurs here.
Carolina should be looking for offensive line help regardless, but recent trade rumors have centered on star defensive lineman Derrick Brown, whom the Panthers have no intention of trading, per Joe Person of The Athletic.
With the NFC South race playing out the way it is, the Panthers are still in the division fight regardless of Sunday’s result, and they don’t seem to plan on going into sell mode just because the schedule is getting harder.
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