The Carolina Panthers are facing a tough decision, if you listen to the questions of some outside beat reporters every week. Should the team start Andy Dalton, the veteran quarterback who gives the team the best chance to win and to evaluate other players on the team, or should the team start Bryce Young, whose body of work through 18 regular season NFL games has left little doubt of his current readiness to play professional football?
It seems the vast majority of Panthers fans have surprisingly voted in favor of watchable football. Quelle surprise. That is a far cry from the still-improved number of fans who believe the team is moving in the right direction. It seems the new head coach and optimist bully Dave Canales is slowly winning over fans.
These numbers have been a bit all over the place this season, closely tracking the roller coaster ride that has been the preseason hype, opening weeks disappointments, Andy Dalton’s surprise competence, and then the wheels falling off of every unit in an almost literal fashion. Seriously, the ‘what could have been’ of this season is a devastating story of injuries and rookies.
The good news is that most fans want to take the calm and patient approach to team building instead of just blowing everything up for the sake of it. Core players like Taylor Moton (30), Derrick Brown (26), and Jaycee Horn (24) are all young enough to see the prime of the next, or second next, quarterback’s career. New free agent or trade acquisitions Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis, and Diontae Johnson could all fall in the same category if they maintain their current stellar levels of play and are retained.
Meanwhile, the Panthers have picked up at least four contributors in their first draft under general manager Dan Morgan in wide receiver Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks (hopefully), linebacker Trevin Wallace, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Even with the jury still out on corner Chau Smith-Wade and defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy, that is the strongest draft class the Panthers have had in years.
Things are only looking up for the Panthers, so long as you don’t look at the current season. Seriously, watch for fun but don’t invest.