Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as preparations continue for their Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Carolina Panthers returned to the business at hand on Wednesday for their final game-week preparations of the season. It's been a long campaign without many achievements attached. The dark cloud of last weekend continues to envelop the franchise, causing an unnecessary distraction when the primary focus should be preventing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from clinching the NFC South title at Bank of America Stadium.
There's been so much to unravel as the Panthers descend into a soap opera. While we wait for further developments, the stories causing conversation include Pro Bowl alternates, Bryce Young's toughness, David Tepper remaining a hot topic of discussion, and Cam Newton doubling down on his desire to join Carolina's front office.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers players named Pro Bowl alternates
Although the Carolina Panthers have just two wins to show for their efforts this season, there have been some rare bright spots. Four players were named as Pro Bowl alternates as a result. Derrick Brown, Brian Burns, J.J. Jansen, and Johnny Hekker are now waiting to see if they get the call-up.
Brown, in particular, deserved more consideration. The defensive lineman is about to clear 100 tackles for the campaign - a new NFL record for players at the position if he accomplishes the feat. He's emerged as the team's best overall player. Unfortunately, being on the struggling Panthers has gone against him.
Hopefully, somebody will drop out and the former first-round pick can make the journey. That's the least Brown deserves after such an exceptional season.
Carolina Panthers praise Bryce Young's toughness
There is an obvious temptation to take Bryce Young out of the firing line in Week 18. The Carolina Panthers aren't playing for anything other than potentially avoiding the embarrassment of former quarterback Baker Mayfield winning the NFC South at Bank of America Stadium. The No. 1 pick has taken untold punishment behind a suspect offensive line, so sitting him down would take away the risk of injury if nothing else.
That's not something Chris Tabor is planning to do. He did praise Young's supreme toughness, which the interim head coach believes has answered some pre-draft concerns about the signal-caller's durability based on comments via Carolina's website.
"It just says who he is. I mean, he's obviously very physically tough. I think he's proven that the other area where he's extremely tough is mentally. I think I stated it two weeks ago after the Green Bay game when the mood was better. My thoughts on him haven't changed at all. He's a tough customer. He's a winner; he works at it. He has all the intangibles and really still like where he's going. The tape has answered those questions. He's taken some shots, but he pops right back up, and he dusts himself off, and he, and he goes. So, to me, those narratives are just narratives. Obviously, he's, he has shut those down, in my opinion."Chris Tabor via Panthers.com
Young has one more game to get through without falling foul of injury. That's been the primary objective above all else from a long way out this season. The former Alabama star will be hoping those in power do right by him under a new coaching regime next time around.
Cam Newton doubles down on Carolina Panthers role
Many thought Cam Newton's desire to join the Carolina Panthers front office was a tongue-in-cheek remark designed to generate media attention. That worked - as it always seems to do where the former quarterback is concerned - but the 2015 NFL MVP doubled down on this desire in the aftermath of team owner David Tepper's latest embarrassing incident.
On the latest edition of his 4th-and-1 podcast, Newton gave another speech to throw his hat into the ring in pursuit of getting an opportunity behind the scenes via Sportskeeda. The popular and polarizing figure also claimed what occurred on Sunday and the PR disaster that immediately followed wouldn't have happened on his watch.
"Fellow Americans. I take the stand here. As humbled as I know how. A couple of weeks ago I have made a remark and I'm standing on it. Stomping on it. And if this wasn't a perfect example of Cam Newton's presence in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a Presidential role, I don't know. If I'm given the opportunity to represent the beautiful states of North and South Carolina, situations like this would not and I mean will not happen not on my watch… This is something that could have been avoided, and it should have been avoided. But the point is: David Tepper, you got caught bro."Cam Newton via Sportskeeda
This is a slam dunk for the Panthers, especially given how the franchise is currently being perceived around the league thanks to Tepper's petulance and incompetence. It's an exciting thought, but it would be a surprise if the billionaire made this move considering his desire to surround himself with people who pander to his ego.
Something Newton would not do under any circumstances.
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper lambasted
If David Tepper thought his measly fine coupled with a three-sentence statement would make all the criticism and ridicule go away, he was sorely mistaken. The Carolina Panthers owner remains a laughing-stock. He continues to bring shame to the franchise. His reputation is tarnished almost beyond repair right now.
It's not just the regional media going in on Tepper. He was the hot topic of discussion during a segment on ESPN's First Take on Wednesday. This began with Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo pulling no punches on the incompetent owner via The Spun.
"This guy is a clown. Let's be honest, this is a disaster for the NFL. He fired [Frank] Reich, he obviously interfered as far as the Bryce Young scenario is concerned. Now he's on board saying, 'We all wanted Bryce Young.' Half the offense wanted C.J. Stroud, who they should have taken but took Young instead. If you go work for this guy, you're nuts. He's a disaster. I wouldn't go near him if I was a halfway decent coach."Chris Russo via The Spun
Stephen A. Smith also made a good point…
Stephen A. Smith:
— Cat Crave (@CatCraveBlog) January 3, 2024
"Is there any greater punishment than having to be at the stadium watching this team?" 😂
Former NFL defensive lineman Marcus Spears highlighted the arrogance in Tepper's statement - which failed to produce an apology - as the thing that annoyed him most. The hedge fund manager is hoping this will blow over heading into the head coaching cycle. Whether it's enough to convince coveted targets such as Ben Johnson that this is a project worth taking on is the big question.