What were some pleasant surprises to emerge from an otherwise disastrous two-win season for the Carolina Panthers in 2023?
Before everyone can look forward with a hopeful sense of positivity, we must first examine the wreckage. This was one of the worst seasons in Carolina Panthers franchise history. The team won just two games after boldly claiming they were ready to contend. It was a complete disaster from start to finish.
The Panthers are amid another head coach and general manager search. At least the hires are being done together - something the franchise hasn't implemented since 2002. Whoever takes on these jobs has a significant amount of hard work ahead.
There were very few positives to take from the 2023 season. It was disjointed. The grand plans lacked motivation or any conviction. There were too many people in the ear of rookie quarterback Bryce Young at a critical early stage of his development.
It wasn't all bad, however. With this in mind, here are three pleasant surprises from the Panthers' 2023 season.
Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard's emergence
When the Carolina Panthers signed Miles Sanders to a long-term contract in free agency, all signs pointed to Chuba Hubbard becoming a backup option once again. The former fourth-round selection made encouraging strides after Christian McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. That wasn't enough to get the No. 1 position outright once D'Onta Foreman left.
Sanders' early struggles and subsequent injury complications thrust Hubbard into the limelight. He was not going to waste his big chance, performing exceptionally well in difficult circumstances and making his presence felt as a key cog in the offensive strategy.
Hubbard rushed for 902 yards and five touchdowns. The Oklahoma State product gained 1,135 all-purpose yards while Sanders couldn't get the job done. Considering how bleak things looked before the campaign, this was an incredibly positive turn of events.
Xavier Woods' influence
Considering Xavier Woods was all but written off just a few years ago when the Dallas Cowboys cut him loose, the career resurgence has been remarkable. The standout safety remains a model of consistency. This season, he was better than ever.
Although Woods missed three games due to injury, he was nothing short of sensational when on the field. His ability to get everyone on the same page on the backend was an example of supreme vision and communication. He made tackles look effortless at times. The defensive back was rarely out of position. The one-time Louisiana Tech star made a difference in the passing game and closer to the line of scrimmage on running downs.
Woods conceded an impressive 65.4 passer rating when targeted this season. This is a testament to his discipline and anticipation when routes were developing in front of him. His outstanding 80.3 grade from Pro Football Focus is another indication of his well-rounded contribution throughout the campaign.
This is all positive where Woods is concerned. A new regime might be coming into the fold, but there is no denying the former sixth-round pick's importance to the team next season, which is also a contract year for the player.
If Woods keeps up this performance level next season, a contract extension won't be too far behind.
Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen's milestone
Adam Thielen's decision to spurn the advances of contenders and sign for the Carolina Panthers in free agency represented a major coup for the organization. While the Pro Bowler was advancing in age, expectations were he'd become a sound security blanket in the slot for rookie quarterback Bryce Young during his crucial transition from college to the pros.
Thanks to the inept performance levels of others, Thielen was tasked with much more. At 33 years old, he became the Panthers' undisputed No. 1 receiving option. He was Young's go-to target. The only wide receiver capable of creating separation and providing the assured hands needed to move the chains.
There's just no telling how bad Young's first year would have looked without Thielen. He was the one shining light in a passing attack littered with underachievers. He made the odd mistake, but his overall contribution was far greater than anyone associated with the Panthers envisaged en route to his first 1,000-yard receiving campaign since 2018.
It seems as if Thielen's time with the Panthers will be short-lived, unfortunately. The veteran got sold down the river by Frank Reich and others with their delusional outlook. When speaking to the media on Monday, the former undrafted free agent hinted that a move away might be the best possible solution at this stage of his career.
After a rags-to-riches career, ending with a legitimate contender for a Super Bowl is the least Thielen deserves.