CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Perhaps everyone was busy doing their holiday shopping or stringing the lights, but this week’s call for questions was not met with an overwhelming response.
It also could be related to the fact that the Carolina Panthers are 3-11 and coming off their worst game since October. Like a Dan Campbell trick play or onside kick attempt, timing is everything.
So a special shoutout to those of you who put down your Christmas lists and eggnogs and submitted questions to ye olde mailbag, where several themes emerged: quarterback, left tackle, defensive coordinator and owner — important positions all.
There were also a couple of one-offs that caught my eye, but we start with the question that the Panthers have to answer as an organization by the end of the season.
Given Bryce’s last game was subpar, what would you give as a percent chance for the Panthers taking a QB this draft? — Steven E.
Just when it appeared the Panthers had the quarterback position figured out, Bryce Young laid a four-turnover egg against the Cowboys. As I wrote Sunday, one outing — as bad as it was — does not undo all the progress Young has made in Year 2. But another one or two down the stretch could give Dave Canales pause. The Panthers should have a top-5 pick, which in most years would position them to draft a quarterback or trade the pick to a team looking for a QB. This is not that year.
The more likely scenario for 2025 is to have Canales continue working to develop Young while pairing him with a veteran quarterback, whether that’s Andy Dalton, Daniel Jones or someone with familiarity with Canales such as Geno Smith.
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What have you heard about Ejiro Evero’s future in Carolina? Do you think he is on the hot seat with one year left on his contract? — Jared F.
The Panthers’ decision-makers definitely need to have some long conversations after the season about the defensive staff. David Tepper refused to let Evero out of his contract last offseason when he had offers to be a defensive coordinator elsewhere. Canales has a lot of respect for Evero as a coach and a person, so my sense is he would push back against any pressure to move on from Evero.
That said, maybe the two sides mutually agree to part ways if there are jobs Evero wants to pursue. If Evero does return, it’s hard to imagine the Panthers running it back with all the same defensive assistants again. This is a team that went from fourth in total defense to 31st and remains on pace to allow the most points in franchise history (and could still break the NFL mark). While it certainly was a tough way to start the season, the problems run deeper than losing Derrick Brown for the season in Week 1.
In case you needed more angles of that unreal Travis Hunter catch 🔥🤯@CUBuffsFootball
(Brought to you by @ATTBusiness #ATTBusiness #NextLevelNetwork) pic.twitter.com/3tJqGTeOH8
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2024
If Travis Hunter is still on the board when the Panthers are on the clock, do we take him over a larger team need like an edge rusher? I’m honestly excited about possibly getting a once-in-a-lifetime player like Hunter. — Andrew A.
Dan Morgan traded up into the first round to take a player (wide receiver Xavier Legette) at a position of need. But it’s a little different with a top-5 pick versus last year when the Panthers were picking 33rd (and ultimately took Legette at No. 32). If this were a deep quarterback class, I could see Morgan trading the pick (and he still might). But I think he’d ultimately look for the best player available who can help this team win. And Hunter could help a team in all three phases if you could figure out a way to safely manage his workload.
Canales sounded intrigued when asked about Hunter on Monday. “I think about Deion Sanders. He had his way to do it. Coach Prime. He’s kind of right there with someone who could mentor him through some of that,” Canales said. “I think it would be a challenge. I think it would be a good challenge, a good problem to talk through for any team to get a player of that caliber.”
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Tepper has been incredibly quiet. Which is good. I’m comforted that at least he has the emotional intelligence to realize he generated nothing but bad press for himself and the organization last year. I’d love to hear how this is playing out, if it’s the new normal, and if he is truly letting his football people manage the football. — Jon H.
It’s been nearly a year since the drink-throwing episode in Jacksonville, which was followed by Tepper’s drop-in at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille on draft night. And you’re right, we’ve heard nary a peep from the Panthers’ owner this season. Tepper is still a part of the big decisions and stops by practice regularly. But he seems to have a level of trust with the latest group of “football people” that might not have been as strong with previous regimes.
Tepper has spent three-plus years with Morgan, who had a close relationship with Canales. Tepper also has empowered executive VP of football operations Brandt Tilis, who interviewed for the GM job before Scott Fitterer was hired in 2021. “I think we’re building something special,” Tepper said Tuesday night at the Joy to the Carolinas event. “These guys, they’re just an extremely good management team. And listen, we’re just getting started. We’re just building momentum for this year, and it’s just building and building and building. And I think we’ll build the next few years. So I’m pretty excited, to tell you the truth.”
Do you think Jalen Coker can really stick around? Coker has received a ton of hype and praise. But I remember when myself and fans thought Philly Brown was going to be a great wide receiver 2 or 3 for years to come, and he flamed out after the Super Bowl year. Same can be said for Melvin White in 2013-14. He was a solid corner for 2 years before flaming out. — Anonymous U.
For future reference, A.U., I’m not a huge fan of posting anonymous questions or comments. But I do have a soft spot for underdog stories. Plus, the other two guys you mentioned brought back some good memories on the beat — Philly once declined to tell me his favorite cheesesteak place before a game in Philly, presumably because he feared I lacked street smarts. Anyway, it feels like Coker will have staying power because of his frame (6-3, 213), soft hands and innate ability to maneuver around defenders to make contested catches.
The knock on Coker coming out of Holy Cross was his speed. His combine 40 time of 4.57 seconds ranked 28th among receivers, though it was slightly faster than Keon Coleman’s 4.61. But there was Coker on Sunday running away from Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson for an 83-yard touchdown and reaching a speed of 21.15 mph, the fastest by a Panthers’ ball-carrier since DJ Moore in 2021 (21.38 mph), per Next Gen Stats. I think Coker will continue to get better as he adds muscle and refines his route running.
Bryce Young & Jalen Coker (83-yd TD) 📽️
Coker reached a top speed of 21.15 mph, the fastest play by a Panthers ball carrier since Week 4, 2021 (DJ Moore, 21.38 mph).
Over a two-play span, the @Panthers gained +8.8% win probability on the Cooper Rush fumble and +19.2% on the… pic.twitter.com/mH34JXNEBa
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 15, 2024
Do you think the Panthers will pick up Ickey’s fifth-year option? His play probably doesn’t warrant it, but with so many holes on the roster will they just roll with him at LT? — Alex T.
Had a couple of questions about Ikem Ekwonu, who, like Philly Brown, has one of those unique, instantly recognizable nicknames. Like Jaycee Horn last year, the decision on Ekwonu’s option merits close consideration. Ekwonu has made strides under offensive line coach Joe Gilbert, allowing five sacks in 12 games after giving up 12 in 17 games in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.
But Ekwonu turned in his worst game last week against Dallas, still commits too many penalties (a team-leading 12) and struggles against speed rushers. So I don’t know that it’s necessarily a given that Morgan and Tilis pick up Ekwonu’s fifth-year option, which likely will be worth about $17 million. That’s a lot for a player drafted before the current staff arrived, and one prone to stretches of inconsistency.
On to the speed round …
Joe, GMDM and Coach Canales said they were looking for “dawgs.” It certainly seems they found a few this offseason. Apart from the obvious ones like Robert Hunt, A’Shawn Robinson, Chuba Hubbard, etc., who are some of the under-the-radar “dawgs” you think have a chance to stick around beyond this year? — Chris W.
I like Deven Thompkins’ suddenness as a returner and thought undrafted safety Demani Richardson showed toughness with back-to-back, double-digit tackle games when filling in near midseason.
Is there a chance that the Panthers would ever bring back giving footballs to kids after touchdowns? —Plymouth822
Great idea, but not sure anyone could pull it off with the flair of Cam Newton.
What position is the biggest need for the team going into next season? — Bryan K.
Putting it in baseball terms, the Panthers need to get stronger up the middle defensively. So defensive line, linebacker (depending on Shaq Thompson’s status) and safety.
Besides good health, what should Santa bring the Panthers? Might it be an entire sack full of things? — Ed H.
No flex game for Week 18 at Atlanta. Happy holidays, y’all.
(Photo of Bryce Young: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
