Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as the team gears up for their Monday Night Football clash against the New Orleans Saints tonight?
Game day has finally arrived for the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. After watching an eventful series of games during Sunday's slate, Frank Reich's men take center stage tonight when they welcome the New Orleans Saints for a pivotal Monday Night Football clash at Bank of America Stadium.
It promises to be a highly charged atmosphere for all involved. Until then, the stories generating conversation include Chandler Zaala's adjustment, Bryce Young's performance, Brian Burns making his intentions clear, and the Panthers' raised stakes following Sunday's action.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers in danger of falling behind
Starting off the season with a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Falcons wasn't great. However, the Carolina Panthers are already facing the prospect of playing catch-up if they fell to defeat against the New Orleans Saints this evening.
The Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both secured victories and 2-0 records after the weekend's action. New Orleans has the chance to do the same in Charlotte, which would give the Panthers an early mountain to climb in pursuit of postseason football.
If the Panthers were looking for an added sense of urgency, they now have it. Although getting one over on divisional opposition in front of what should be an electrifying crowd at Bank of America Stadium should be more than enough to sweeten the pot.
Carolina Panthers OL Chandler Zavala praised
With the Carolina Panthers missing their starting two guards from 2022 after Brady Christensen tore his bicep in Week 1 at the Atlanta Falcons and was ruled out for the entire campaign, it's a chance for others to step up.
Frank Reich confirmed that Cade Mays would get the start in his absence. Fourth-round selection Chandler Zavala remaining at the right guard spot after impressing on his competitive NFL debut.
There were some concerns about Zavala going up against Grady Jarrett. It wasn't perfect, but the former North Carolina State standout held his own and emerged from the defeat with a tremendous amount of credit.
When speaking about Zavala's performance, veteran right tackle Taylor Moton stated via Augusta Stone from the team's website how impressed he was with the rookie's poise and maturity alongside him on the protection.
"I forgot he was a rookie; he seemed like a vet. He knew what he was doing out there; seemed right at home. So I was very proud of him. Excited to see him continue to evolve and grow his game."Taylor Moton via Panthers.com
This was a good start for Zavala, but no more than that. Expect the New Orleans Saints to target the interior frequently without Christensen and Austin Corbett. How they cope will go a long way to determining the overall outcome.
Carolina Panthers OLB Brian Burns' stance
Brian Burns still doesn't have a new contract from the Carolina Panthers. Talks stalled as the two teams looked some way off in terms of an agreement, which is a dangerous game considering how much the edge rusher could command with another outstanding campaign under his belt.
Despite the likes of Chris Jones and Nick Bosa holding out and getting paid, Burns' professionalism and putting the team first hasn't been rewarded. This is something that's coming in for severe criticism from sections of the fanbase who want this situation resolved satisfactorily.
When speaking about the contract talks, Burns said that everything was on hold via NFL.com as his attention shifted toward football and nothing else. So it's unlikely anything is going to be agreed upon before the campaign comes to a conclusion.
"We haven't really been in talks. I told them once the season started, I'm all about ball. I can't give a thousand percent on the field and to my teammates if I'm still worried about contract negotiations. I feel like I owe that to them to be 100 percent, a thousand percent at all times."Brian Burns via NFL.com
If Burns puts together the sort of season many expect, the Panthers are going to pay a hefty price for their lack of urgency regarding the former first-round selection's extension. They could use the franchise tag if all else fails, but this is a situation that could have easily been avoided by a front office developing a reputation for paying the wrong people.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young's performance
Another milestone awaits Bryce Young this evening when the rookie quarterback takes the field for his home regular season debut. It's also the first time he'll be showcased in NFL primetime, which normally brings the entire country to a standstill.
Young was part of some monumentally big moments throughout his time at Alabama. This is a completely different ball game and as previously stated, the stakes are high in pursuit of losing ground early in the NFC South title race.
When discussing Young facing the glaring spotlight against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium, Frank Reich stated via Sports Illustrated that it's nothing he hasn't experienced before. The head coach also hinted that treating this like any other game is the best advice he could offer.
"Every step for him is a new step in the NFL. He's played on the big stage his whole life, so enjoy the moment. The biggest piece of advice you can give the rookies is when you play on Monday night, it's a long wait until Monday night. So don't get too amped up too early. Just be patient because it's a long wait."Frank Reich via Sports Illustrated
Young won't want two losses on his record to kick off his NFL career. There were some good and bad moments in Week 1, but now is the time for Carolina's coaching staff to start opening things up for the No. 1 overall selection and see how he fares.