Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as the dust settles on their Week 14 road loss against the New Orleans Saints?
Morale is at an all-time low across the Carolina Panthers. Players are struggling to motivate themselves. Coaches look forlorn in the wake of Frank Reich's firing. Many fans are passed the point of caring with the team sitting at 1-12.
There are still four games to navigate before landmark changes come to light for the second straight offseason. Until then, the stories causing debate include Chris Tabor's approach, Brian Burns looking up, being tougher on Bryce Young, and Carolina's head coaching position becoming a poisoned chalice.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers OLB Brian Burns' resolve
It's been a rough ride for the Carolina Panthers this season. They have one win in 13 games. They are about to give up their No. 1 overall pick to the Chicago Bears. They have plenty of tricky obstacles to overcome this season in pursuit of molding a competitive roster.
Many thought Sunday's loss against the New Orleans Saints was a new low. The Panthers rushed for more than 200 yards but managed just six points. This is completely unacceptable when one considers how well Carolina's defense played for the most part.
Brian Burns acknowledged that the Panthers had been at rock bottom for a while via The Bleacher Report. The outside linebacker's positive outlook means he's looking forward to better days ahead. Even if that might not come over their remaining four games.
"I mean, as far as rock-bottom, we've been at the bottom for a minute. The only thing you can do now is go up."Brian Burns via The Bleacher Report
Burns has come in for increased scrutiny as the Panthers contemplate placing the franchise tag on their best pass-rusher. One could argue he's underperforming and perhaps feels let down. But he isn't alone in that regard.
Chris Tabor's relaxed approach
As previously stated, the Carolina Panthers are devoid of any inspiration or motivation right now. Losing 12 of 13 games will do that, unfortunately. It's about how the players respond moving forward that represents the biggest tell of all.
Chris Tabor decided to give his players the day off on Monday despite getting beaten by the New Orleans Saints. This came in for criticism from some sections of the fanbase on social media when the news was confirmed. But the interim head coach saw it as reading the demoralized room more than anything else based on comments via the team's website.
"It was something that I had decided upon, and you just have to, I think, read your team, read the room and sometimes. Sometimes getting away and just kind of clearing your mind is a good solution to kind of having the same routine all the time, if that makes sense. I mean, I've had a few guys already up in my office watching tape. So I think, I think when sometimes people hear the word day off, they think we don't see anybody. You actually see everybody."Chris Tabor via Panthers.com
Sometimes, taking a step back is the best thing for all parties. So much losing does untold damage to confidence levels. Maybe this leniency and extra time to reflect can bring around a magic turnaround in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Don't hold your breath on that, though.
Carolina Panthers getting tougher with Bryce Young
Bryce Young's development has been a hot topic of discussion recently. Frank Reich and Josh McCown were fired primarily due to the quarterback's lack of growth. But it's not like things have gotten much better since David Tepper brought more changes to the Carolina Panthers.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated via The Bleacher Report, there's been a concerted effort from interim head coach Chris Tabor to be tougher on Young in pursuit of improvements based on discussions with sources. This is an approach everyone is seemingly on the same page regarding, which wasn't the case with Reich at the helm.
"Bryce Young didn't look much better Sunday, going 13-of-36 for 137 yards and a 48.0 passer rating. But the Panthers are trying to do more to get him going. With QBs coach Josh McCown gone, Jim Caldwell is now in the quarterback room every day, and interim coach Chris Tabor has pushed, in colorful language, for a tougher approach with the quarterback. The good news is that, as I've heard it, OC Thomas Brown was already an advocate for pushing more accountability with the team's No. 1 pick."Albert Breer via The Bleacher Report
Whether it's too late in the season for Young to salvage anything from it is anyone's guess. Many fans are calling for the Panthers to sit their prized possession to avoid any further long-term damage. Although that doesn't appear likely based on Tabor's comments about the No. 1 overall pick's outlook.
Carolina Panthers are a poisoned chalice
The Carolina Panthers are on the lookout for yet another head coach under David Tepper's ownership. This will be his third permanent hire and fourth in total. So the billionaire hedge fund manager cannot get this wrong again.
Considering all the turmoil surrounding the Panthers right now, one has to wonder who'd be crazy enough to take the job. This sentiment was echoed by Peter King of NBC Sports, who urged any progressive coach with options - either in 2024 or further down the road - to spurn Tepper's advances if the opportunity presents itself.
"[David] Tepper is ruthless, but he’s probably intelligent. Assuming Joseph Person and Dianna Russini, reliable reporters, have the story nailed about there being a “Hunger Games” culture inside the Panthers, with various coaches/employees texting and talking to the owner, David Tepper, with scuttlebutt that was negative about Frank Reich. Two thoughts. One: An owner who actively engages with multiple employees in opposition to what the head coach is doing is a big part of the problem. It’s not the owner’s job to encourage employees to undercut the coach. It’s reprehensible that the owner would engage in or encourage that. Two: That franchise is a mess. I think there should be blinking lights to warn every coach who interviews for this Carolina head-coaching job: Beware. If you trust yourself, and if you trust that some other trustworthy, smart owner—unlike what there is in Charlotte—will want you one of these days, just walk on by. Wait."Peter King, NBC Sports
Tepper might be a meddling, egotistical owner incapable of making positive decisions. But at the end of the day, there are only 32 head coaching opportunities to go around. And now, the Panthers at least have Bryce Young to build around if nothing else.