The 2023 season was a disaster for the Carolina Panthers. Everything that could go wrong seemingly did as they found virtually zero success on the field. It resulted in a brutal 2-15 record, the worst in the NFL.
Not only is their long-term asset outlook bleak, but the team’s performance on the field leaves little to get excited about. The 2023 Panthers were a record-setting group, but not for anything a team wants to be known for.
According to Ben Fawkes on X, the Panthers didn’t lead for one second in the entire regular season. They are the first team to accomplish that feat in NFL history. Carolina was tied or trailed for every second of every game. Their two victories came at the buzzer on game-winning field goals.
NFL News & Rumors: Bryce Young, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers Updates
Normally, a franchise can at least take solace in knowing that they have a top pick coming their way when they play as poorly as Carolina did in 2023. Alas, the Panthers don’t even have that as their first-round pick is owned by the Chicago Bears courtesy of a trade last offseason.
The Panthers made a big move up the draft board, acquiring the No. 1 pick. It cost them several picks, including this year’s first-rounder and wide receiver D.J. Moore, to move up and select quarterback Bryce Young out of Alabama.
Young struggled throughout his rookie season as Carolina failed to put much of a support system around him. Head coach Frank Reich was fired midway through the season and the play caller on offense flipped multiple times.
NFL News & Rumors: Bryce Young, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers Updates
To make matters worse, the quarterback selected after Young, and who Reich reportedly wanted, has flourished. C.J. Stroud, who was picked No. 2 by the Houston Texans, immediately turned the franchise around and led them to the AFC South division title.
There isn’t a team as far away from contending for a division title as the Panthers. There is a lot of work to do to turn things around and whoever takes over as general manager and head coach will be working behind the eight ball.
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