Panthers Have Work to Do Under New Leadership

The Carolina Panthers are starting over again after a terrible 2022 season. They went 2-15 under former head coach Frank Reich. Now, the team has a new power structure led by general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales. Brandt Tilis was also brought in as the executive vice president of football operations. He will manage the roster and salary cap. 

This new leadership has a lot of work to do. As last season showed, there are many areas for improvement on the Panthers' roster. According to Pro Football Focus, Carolina is projected to have about $28.6 million available to spend on free agents. Tilis could free up more money by releasing some aging, overpaid veterans. But the roster was already weak, so he must weigh his options carefully.

According to North Carolina sportsbooks, the Panthers are currently 50/1 longshots to win Super Bowl LVIII. Those odds seem appropriate given the state of the roster. For Canales, Morgan and Tilis, the 2023 offseason will set the tone for their rebuild. With the #9 overall pick and money to spend in free agency, Panthers fans will hope the new regime can finally get this franchise headed back in the right direction.

Offense needs playmakers

The Panthers offense was among the worst in the NFL last year. They scored the fifth-fewest points per game at just 17.2. If Dave Canales is going to turn things around as head coach, he needs more playmakers. 

Quarterback

The Panthers used the #1 overall pick on Bryce Young in last year's draft. The hope is that Canales can develop Young into a franchise quarterback. He has shown an ability to improve quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. The team also has Andy Dalton, a strong veteran presence. But they could save $2 million by releasing Dalton and adding a younger backup.

Running Back

Chuba Hubbard was a nice surprise last season, eventually taking over as the lead back. Miles Sanders struggled early on before getting injured. Both are likely to return, with Hubbard competing for the starting job. New running backs coach Bernie Parmalee needs to get more out of this group.

Wide Receiver 

Adam Thielen led the team with 100 catches for over 1,000 yards last year. He seems likely to return despite some frustration late in the season. Second-round rookie Jonathan Mingo will also be back but needs to take a step forward. Aside from them, this position could see a lot of turnover. Former LSU teammates DJ Chark and Terrace Marshall may not return. More playmakers are needed here.

Tight End

Hayden Hurst claims he won’t retire after a serious head injury cut his season short. Tommy Tremble emerged with Hurst out, catching 5 touchdowns. But Hurst was underwhelming before the injury, so this position may also need reinforcements.

The offensive line struggled mightily in 2022 and is poised for changes under new leadership. The Panthers could use upgrades at both guard spots and center. Releasing Taylor Moton would free up over $5 million but weaken the line even further. Extending standout tackle Ikem Ekwonu should be a priority as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.

Defense shows promise

While the offense was a disaster last season, the Panthers' young defense showed promise. Third-year tackle Derrick Brown made his first Pro Bowl after a dominant campaign. Veterans like linebacker Frankie Luvu also took major steps forward under defensive coordinator Jeff Nixon. With a few more playmakers, this unit could develop into a strength.

Defensive Line

Derrick Brown has become Carolina's best player after posting a career-high 13 sacks last year. Fellow tackle Shy Tuttle was also solid. But the Panthers still need help at defensive end. Re-signing rotation players Henry Anderson and Chris Wormley should be priorities.

Linebacker

Frankie Luvu broke out with seven sacks in 2022 after signing from the Jets. But the team struggled at other linebacker spots all year. Former first-round pick Jaycee Horn showed versatility late in the year after moving from corner. Veterans like Denzel Perryman disappointed though, so reinforcements may be needed.

Secondary  

Second-year cornerback CJ Henderson bounced back from a rough 2021 campaign. But the rest of the secondary is uncertain. Safety Xavier Woods is set to be a free agent. Corner Donte Jackson tore his Achilles late in the year. So secondary help will likely be a priority this offseason.