What big conclusions should be taken after the Carolina Panthers decided to hold firm at the 2023 trade deadline?
After weeks of speculation about potential comings and goings via trade, nothing concrete emerged from the Carolina Panthers before the October 31 deadline. This came as a surprise to many, especially with the team sitting at 1-6 and without a first-round selection to call upon in 2024.
This sparked a mixed reaction among the fanbase. Some wanted to sell off assets in pursuit of recouping capital, while others were desperate for those in power to acquire another productive weapon for rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
Neither materialized as "in on every deal" general manager Scott Fitterer sat on his hands. There were a few last-minute deals around the league, with the Washington Commanders' decision to part ways with defensive duo Chase Young and Montez Sweat the undoubted highlight.
As for the Panthers, here are three takeaways from holding firm at the 2023 trade deadline.
Carolina Panthers couldn't find value
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, there were plenty of calls fielded by the Carolina Panthers without a deal being struck. This could be down to two things - overvaluing players or an indictment on those the franchise made available for departure.
The Panthers were intent on not trading Brian Burns. An unfortunate injury also hurt Jeremy Chinn's hopes of a move, but the others linked with trades were all underperforming or out of favor - so extracting maximum compensation is a tough sell.
Carolina isn't exactly blessed with assets. If they were planning on getting another pass-catcher for Bryce Young, the franchise was in no position to overpay.
Carolina Panthers might still believe
Another reason why the Carolina Panthers might have held firm aside from finding value before the trade deadline centers on their fortunes over the second half of 2023. Sunday's win against the Houston Texans was an important step in the right direction, but there is a long way to go before this franchise can legitimately harbor hopes of reaching the postseason at 1-6.
However, those within the building might believe more than some fans. The team's schedule looks pretty favorable if they can build on their newfound momentum and if some established stars get back to full health, that further helps their cause enormously.
The NFC South is not exactly littered with exceptional teams, either. The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints lead the way at 4-4 currently, so all it would take is for Carolina to go on a run during a winnable stretch of fixtures to enter consideration.
Unlikely of course. But not completely out of reach.
That could be another factor in not moving assets before the deadline. But if they feel like this, one begs the question of why more wasn't done to make quarterback Bryce Young's life easier in the passing game.
This is a question only general manager Scott Fitterer and team owner David Tepper could answer. It's been a while since we heard from either publicly, which isn't surprising when one considers how some free-agent signings are performing and the fact Carolina has one win in seven to start the season.
Carolina Panthers offensive dynamic
As previously stated, some sections of the fanbase were demanding more help for their quarterback Bryce Young. Names like Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and even Davante Adams came up on social media as preferred targets, which was always a pipedream whether the Carolina Panthers inquired or not.
This could be down to the new offensive dynamic in Carolina. Frank Reich handed over play-calling duties to Thomas Brown during the bye week and looking at their Week 8 performance against the Houston Texans, there were notable changes in terms of execution, efficiency, and scheming players open for the first time.
As the season progresses, the hope is that Brown can conjure his magic and get more out of underperforming individuals such as D.J. Chark, Jonathan Mingo, Hayden Hurst, and Terrace Marshall Jr. If he cannot, then the matter will be addressed as a matter of urgency in free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft.
There were signs of life, for sure. With the likes of Chuba Hubbard and Tommy Tremble also emerging, it would be a big shock if those already around didn't start reaping the rewards of Brown's more modernized ethos compared to Reich's often outdated concepts schematically.
It's a gamble, for sure. Especially considering Young's development is the most important thing above all else this season.
But who knows, it might just pay off thanks in no small part to the esteem in which Brown is held within the building.