What huge disappointments emerged from the Carolina Panthers' embarrassing loss against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9?
Any hopes that Carolina Panthers fans had of generating some hope after last weekend's first win evaporated in the blink of an eye. Frank Reich's men returned to the same team that stunk up their opening seven contests en route to an embarrassing loss against the Indianapolis Colts, which moves them to 1-7 and with far more questions than answers about their current direction.
Injuries have completely decimated key position groups, which isn't ideal. However, the same problems keep surfacing and show no signs of improving from a consistency standpoint despite Carolina shelling out substantial financial resources on a high-profile coaching staff led by Reich.
There isn't much time to get this failing house in order before the Panthers' trip to the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. This team is in real danger of giving up the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft unless a drastic turnaround unfolds, which would be one of the more embarrassing things to happen in their rich history spanning three decades.
And that's saying something.
That predicament is for the future. For now, here are three huge disappointments from Carolina's latest capitulation at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers pass-rush
After a game when the Carolina Panthers mustered just one sack and four tackles for loss, the pass rush once again flattered to deceive. Something that's become commonplace for a team with no real dominant presence aside from Brian Burns, who those in power refuse to pay the going rate.
Yetur Gross-Matos and Justin Houston are on injured/reserve. Younger players lower down the depth chart failed to meet expectations, with third-rounder D.J. Johnson doing nothing to diminish concerns about his chances of making a go of things at the next level.
Buns is going to miss Thursday's game with a concussion, so the hopes of this key statistical category improving are remote.
Carolina Panthers OL
After emerging as one of the league's most improved units last season, the Carolina Panthers offensive line has been anything but this time around. The group is devoid of any consistency or confidence right now, which is making things difficult for rookie quarterback Bryce Young no matter the standard of opposition.
Some players on the protection just don't look suited for the blocking responsibilities that come with Frank Reich and Thomas Brown's schematic concepts. Bradley Bozeman is a prime example - a fan favorite and strong community presence who hasn't lived up to his new contract by any stretch of the imagination so far.
Calvin Throckmorton is not up to the required standard at left guard with Brady Christensen on the shelf. Former first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu's been extremely inconsistent, Taylor Moton is up and down, and Austin Corbett is still working his way back from a torn ACL with only two starts in 2023.
There isn't much in the way of depth to make alterations aside from struggling fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala. The Panthers need to make the best of a bad situation, which points the finger squarely at general manager Scott Fitterer for his questionable personnel moves earlier this year.
Changing the offensive approach depending on the opponent would also help. But that might be difficult for Week 10 with only a few days before their Thursday Night Football game at the Chicago Bears.
Carolina Panthers turnovers
The Carolina Panthers lost in Week 9 by 14 points. This was also a direct result of quarterback Bryce Young giving up two pick-sixes during the worst performance of his professional career.
Young's growth since becoming the No. 1 overall selection has been encouraging more often than not. There are times when he makes rookie mistakes - which isn't uncommon - and this isn't the most ideal situation given the lack of pass-catching talent and the woeful offensive line in front of him.
That said, fans have every right to expect more from Young. The Panthers gave up a significant amount to move up eight spots in the draft, where they deemed the Alabama product and Heisman Trophy winner worthy of such a sacrifice.
This is coming into question thanks in no small part to C.J. Stroud's exceptional start to his NFL journey. Breaking the single-game rookie passing record and throwing five touchdowns as Young gave away three interceptions didn't help, either.
General manager Scott Fitterer said before the campaign this roster was built to drop in a quarterback and take off. That led to increased expectations that the personnel couldn't match - Young included.
As previously stated, the primary objective for the Panthers moving forward is Young's development. Just get through the season with no lasting damage and then do everything possible to surround their substantial investment with everything needed to thrive.
Anything else is complete malpractice.