Panthers news: Bryce Young, Eddy Pineiro, Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu

Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines with a few days remaining until the all-important 2024 NFL Scouting Combine?

Business normally picks up where transactions are concerned around the NFL Scouting Combine. Of course, this was the time last year when the Carolina Panthers began discussing what it might take to go up for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Something that cost far more than originally anticipated after one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

The Panthers won't be doing anything nearly as bold this time around, but there is a lot for the front office to navigate regardless. While we wait for further developments, the stories accumulating column inches include back-and-forth surrounding Brian Burns' contract dispute, Bryce Young getting some much-needed praise, a potential landing spot for Frankie Luvu, and Eddy Pineiro's future surprisingly coming under the microscope.

Let's delve into each topic in more detail.

Eddy Pineiro named Carolina Panthers' cut candidate

Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis have their work cut out this offseason. They need to make the roster more competitive. They also need to bolster their salary-cap space. Easier said than done thanks to some terrible contracts handed out by the previous regime.

Some tough decisions are coming. Brad Spielberger from Pro Football Focus went down a surprising route, naming kicker Eddy Pineiro as a cut candidate despite performing relatively well during the 2023 season.

"Carolina does not have many options here, which just adds to the challenge the new regime faces as it works to turn the franchise around. Pineiro was inconsistent this past season, so the Panthers might as well save money and search for a young player who can win the long-term job."

Brad Spielberger, PFF

This would be a shocking turn of events. Special teams represent arguably the one area providing any sort of stability in terms of consistency and health. Letting Pineiro walk ahead of time is a problem the Carolina Panthers don't need.

Frankie Luvu's best fit

All the talk is centering on edge rusher Brian Burns' current contract dispute with the Carolina Panthers. Those in power also have another defensive lynchpin to keep happy in the form of phenomenal linebacker Frankie Luvu.

Luvu's been nothing short of sensational over the last two seasons. He's emerged from obscurity to become an integral part of the team's defensive strategy. He's the complete package at the defensive second level and the latest in a long line of outstanding linebackers throughout Carolina's franchise history spanning almost three decades.

Extending Luvu should be among the team's top priorities. If contract talks fall by the wayside, Matt Bowen from ESPN tabbed the Arizona Cardinals as a perfect landing spot for the former Washington State standout.

"The Cardinals need more production at the linebacker spot in Jonathan Gannon's defense, and they'll get the opportunity with Luvu headed to free agency. Luvu posted career-best numbers with the Panthers last season, with 125 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He fits here as an off-ball linebacker who can track the edges in the run game and get home on schemed blitzes."

Matt Bowen, ESPN

Letting Luvu walk is simply not an option. The Panthers cannot keep letting established figures leave. More importantly, the veteran has earned the large pay increase coming his way in the not-too-distant future.

Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young's boost

Bryce Young is taking his fair share of criticism right now. One of the worst seasons in franchise history didn't help. It ended up being a toxic environment for the rookie quarterback. Unfortunately, he was unable to overcome such a turbulent situation en route to a disappointing campaign overall.

Young has the talent. He flashed it during the season. While he'll be the first to admit things could have been better where certain elements of his production were concerned, the Carolina Panthers did nothing to give him a fighting chance.

It's too early to be writing Young off despite what some critics are claiming. The former Alabama star received a much-needed confidence boost from Joel Klatt of FOX Sports, who named the Heisman Trophy winner as one of his best prospects scouted since 2012.

Young landed at No. 5 on the list behind Joe Burrow, Drake Maye, Trevor Lawrence, and Caleb Williams. Of course, others have shone at the next level more. But this list was made based on college production, upside, and how their fortunes were perceived before joining the NFL.

It's not much, but it's reaffirmation for Young. After most analysts couldn't wait to kick the player while he's down, the signal-caller will take anything he can get right now.

Brian Burns' back-and-forth with Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers continue to manage Brian Burns' contract situation terribly. It seems nothing has been learned from the previous regime's failings. Not exactly surprising when one considers that Dan Morgan and team owner David Tepper were heavily involved in the situation last summer.

Someone within the Panthers' front office is willingly leaking information about negotiations to the media. Joe Person of The Athletic was the latest to receive information, revealing the figures that Carolina's star edge rusher was said to have turned down before ending discussions to focus on football.

"Coming off a 2022 season in which he finished with a career-high 12 1/2 sacks and made the Pro Bowl for a second consecutive year, Burns was looking to join the league’s highest-paid edge rushers. When Burns ended a two-day “hold in” before Week 1 last year, The Athletic reported he was seeking a deal with an annual average value of about $30 million. The Panthers were willing to go as high as five years at $27 million a year, according to a league source with knowledge of the contract talks."

Joe Person, The Athletic

This proved a response from Burns and his brother - Stanley McClover - on social media. The consensus was don't believe everything you read. Negotiations are far more complicated. Plus, the former first-round pick out of Florida State wants to stick around despite the way he's been treated.

Again, this is going to result in the franchise tag. What transpires after that is still up in the air. But make no mistake, it's becoming an ongoing frustration among the fanbase.