Which Carolina Panthers news stories are hitting the headlines as the dust settles on another poor loss against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4?
Morale is pretty low among the Carolina Panthers fanbase right now. The team is 0-4 and in real danger of being 0-6 at the bye week, which means it's a bad year for the franchise to be without the first-round selection they gave up to secure the services of Bryce Young at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The only way is up, as they say. Until then, the stories causing debate include Austin Corbett getting close to returning, Miles Sanders slamming the Panthers fanbase for their reaction to another woeful offensive effort, Frank Reich preaching patience, and the temptation to trade Brian Burns.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Carolina Panthers RB Miles Sanders criticizes fans
As if there wasn't enough friction between the Carolina Panthers and their long-suffering support. Veteran running back Miles Sanders fanned the flames further post-game on Sunday by criticizing their booing via Clutch Points.
"It’s not cool."Miles Sanders via Clutch Points
In terms of reading the room, this was simply awful. The Panthers aren't exactly lighting things up on offense through four weeks, so fans have every right to voice their displeasure considering they're spending their hard-earned money to watch such a bad football product week after week.
Sanders might not think booing is cool. You know what else isn't cool? He rushed for 19 yards on 13 carries in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings and boasts a 2.9 yards per carry average off 54 touches in 2023 so far.
Carolina Panthers OL Austin Corbett's prognosis
The window is officially open for veteran interior offensive lineman Austin Corbett. After four weeks of the 2023 campaign, the Carolina Panthers can officially designate him to return from the Physically Unable to Perform List, which would be a big step in the right direction for a player who tore his ACL in Week 18.
Corbett's rehabilitation has been grueling based on the documentation on Carolina's website. When asked about the prospect of activating the former second-round pick, head coach Frank Reich stated a return could be close via USA Today Sports, although a definitive timeline wasn't laid out.
"Lookin’ forward to seeing him back out on the practice field soon. I would anticipate that as soon as he’s ready to get out there and practice with us, he’ll be out there. And we have talked about the timeline to get him on the field for a game, and not ready to talk about that just yet. It could be soon. It could be really soon."Frank Reich via USA Today Sports
Rookie fourth-rounder Chandler Zavala is having a torrid time so far and is leading the league in pressures allowed by a considerable margin. Calvin Throckmorton is providing some stability at the right guard position, but there's no denying how much the Panthers are missing Corbett's consistency and supreme leadership.
The sooner he gets back, the better. But the Panthers would be wise not to rush him into the lineup until Corbett is 100 percent ready given the severity of his injury.
Carolina Panthers HC Frank Reich's rallying cry
After so much optimism throughout the offseason, things couldn't be further from that right now where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. Four consecutive losses and trips to the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins before the bye mean there is a real danger of Frank Reich's men being 0-6 before their extended rest period, which represents a disastrous scenario for a team that portrayed hope of winning the NFC South in 2023.
This was an emphatic delusion from those in positions of power based on what we've witnessed over the opening four weeks. When discussing their failings, Reich issued a rallying cry to fans via Carolina's website and is confident his unit could develop as the campaign progresses.
"I believe we are a young team that is developing and growing, even though we're here to win now. We are growing and developing, and that doesn't have to wait a year. We can grow in season. We have a new staff, a lot of turnover in the roster. So maybe more of an opportunity for us to meld and mesh together as the season goes on. Looking forward to that. And we know it's our responsibility to give the fans something to cheer about. We look forward to doing that."Frank Reich via Panthers.com
That's all well and good, but being 0-6 with no first-round selection in 2024 means a few more losses could see the front office embark on some tough decisions before te trade deadline. Carolina's soft rebuild is blowing up in their face - so hitting the reset button and acquiring the assets needed to build a contending team while Bryce Young is on his rookie contract.
Could the Carolina Panters trade Brian Burns?
The Carolina Panthers haven't thrown in the towel on their 2023 chances just yet. But sitting at 0-4 with the prospect of coming up against two legitimate playoff contenders before they go into a Week 7 bye doesn't exactly paint the most positive picture.
To make matters worse, the Panthers don't have a first-round pick in 2024 following their trade to No. 1 overall earlier this spring. As it stands right now, this is a top-two pick, which could lead the Chicago Bears to quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. if their front office had any sense.
Some tough decisions await. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the Panthers should seriously consider trading Brian Burns, although the compensation won't be anything like what they turned down from the Los Angeles Rams before the 2022 deadline all things considered.
"If the Panthers continue at their current pace, they’ll need to think hard about dealing Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns, the one player who could help them recoup some of the draft capital they traded to the Chicago Bears to move up to draft Young. General manager Scott Fitterer needs to start restocking the pick pantry, whether he’s still around for the draft or not. The haul for Burns likely wouldn’t be as substantial as the Los Angeles Rams’ offer of two first-round picks and a third at last year’s deadline, since the acquiring team would have to meet Burns’ contract demands of becoming one of the league’s top-paid edge rushers or use a franchise tag expected to be north of $21 million for defensive ends in 2024. Trading Burns would leave the Panthers with no ascending edge rushers on the roster. So be it."Joe Person, The Athletic
This would leave the Panthers desperately short of reliable edge rushing options, but the former Florida State star represents one of their most valuable commodities. Burns looked visibly deflated after this weekend's loss - which is understandable considering he's experienced nothing but winning since being drafted - so the chances are he would likely relish a fresh start on a team with better prospects in the short and long term.