When the team is on an upswing after a period of darkness and right before the actual winning starts, that's the sweet spot. It's where we are now. We had a false alarm Rhule's first year but this time it feels like we finally have the vision and competence to put together a consistently competitive roster. The crackling potential before we finally start seeing it on the field. Where we can see the future start to take shape.

If and when we do become good again, expectations start changing and we're living and dying by a bad penalty or play call or missed FG that costs us an important game etc. etc. Feelings get heightened and that's great, it's what you want as a sports fan for the games to MEAN something.

Just wanted to remind people that this part is pretty fun too, we might finally get back into the sunlight! I know I'm pretty fucking pale lol

Let me begin by saying that I, personally, believe we have found our QB for the present and future. I was not sold until literally the last 3 or 4 weeks. Dave Canales and his staff deserve a ton of respect for developing this guy, and Bryce deserves the same for not letting getting benched get him down. He faced adversity like he will again and again and stood up to it like a man.

Okay, so here is what Grok had to say to my question.

me: is bryce young a franchise quarterback?

Grok: The question of whether Bryce Young is a franchise quarterback involves looking at his performance, growth potential, leadership qualities, and how he fits within the Carolina Panthers' system. Here's an analysis based on available information up to December 3, 2024:
Performance and Growth:

• Recent Performance: Posts on X indicate that Bryce Young has shown significant improvement in his last few games, suggesting he might be starting to realize his potential. His stats in recent games include a solid passer rating, a good number of completions, and touchdowns, which are encouraging signs of development.
• Development Post-Benching: There's mention of growth since his benching earlier in his career, which could imply he's learned from his experiences and is adapting well to the NFL's demands.

Leadership and Character:

• Leadership: Bryce Young's leadership qualities have been highlighted, with comments suggesting his ability to lead even when not on the field. Leadership is a crucial trait for a franchise quarterback, as they are often expected to be the face of the franchise.

Team Investment:

• Panthers' Commitment: There's information indicating that the Panthers believe in Young as their franchise quarterback, which is a significant vote of confidence from the team. This commitment typically reflects an assessment that he can lead the team for years to come.

Challenges and Context:

• Team Dynamics: The performance of a quarterback can also be influenced by the team around him, including the offensive line, receivers, and coaching. There have been mentions of the Panthers' efforts to improve the supporting cast around Young.
• Early Career Struggles: Young faced challenges in his rookie year, with a lower completion percentage, interceptions, and a record that wasn't favorable. However, many quarterbacks struggle initially and then improve, which might be the case with Young.

Analyst and Fan Sentiment:

• Mixed Opinions: While some posts celebrate his recent performances and potential, others might still be skeptical due to earlier struggles or the context of his games (e.g., against weaker defenses). Public opinion can be divided, but there's a growing sentiment that he could indeed be the future for Carolina.

Conclusion:

• Potential Franchise QB: Given his recent performances, the Panthers' commitment, and his leadership qualities, there's a case to be made that Bryce Young is on track to be considered a franchise quarterback. However, this assessment can evolve with each season. Young's ability to consistently perform at a high level, lead the team to wins, and adapt to the NFL's evolving challenges will ultimately define his status as a franchise quarterback.
• Caveats: It's important to recognize that becoming a franchise quarterback isn't just about immediate success but involves sustained performance and development. Young's journey will continue to unfold, and his status as a "franchise quarterback" might be more conclusively determined in the coming years as he gains more experience and possibly improves the team's record.

In summary, while opinions might vary, there's substantial evidence suggesting that Bryce Young has the attributes and is showing the development needed to potentially be the Carolina Panthers' franchise quarterback. His journey will be worth watching to see if he fully matures into that role.

-END-

With that said, what does r/panthers think?

I'm not trying make it seem like he's been a great owner because he hasn't. Although I believe he's getting better. But do we have proof that he's actually been making roster decisions in the past? I mean Matt Rhule was at one point making roster decisions so when did Tepper start?

Was a locker room cancer for sure, probably ripping into bryces confidence during practice and in game, watching film from his time in Carolina he’s a lazy receiver especially in the red zone. Terrible blocker, lazy routes, causing disfunction in plays. I personally equate ~10-15% of our rough start to him. Overrated and was force feed on steelers so looked good but trash in reality.

First thing that stands out, as a lot of you know, Xavier Legette is still incredibly unpolished. When he was drafted we knew he was a pretty raw prospect and that he had a lot of potential and a lot of flaws. But there are some pretty serious things he needs to get buffed out or he will just end up being a bodybuilding Ted Ginn. He still tries to catch the ball with his hands way too much and his route running is very rough. You can see both of these on display when Bryce throws it to him in the endzone and he catches it way out of bounds. Granted this would've been a very hard play to connect either way, but if you watch that play the first thing XL does wrong is he starts running towards the back of the endzone. Maybe it was a slant he was running there but I don't know why it would be. If he run parallel with the endzone rather than diagonal, he would've been in the endzone when the ball reached him and he would've had to reach up to catch (with his hands). And the second thing is he still caught that ball with his body. Even if he was in bounds where it connected with him, catching it with his hands there screws up his landing. That is something that absolutely needs to be fixed. The route running can be worked on but in the end isn't as serious of an issue long-term as catching with his body would be. That's the kind of thing that can hold him back from ever reaching his potential EDIT: I do want to add a pretty huge positive I've seen from XL. He is very physical in his routes. He is bigger than most corners, but unlike a lot of receivers he doesn't shy away from contact. He uses his strength to get open. If he can learn to catch with his hands he can also use that physicality to actually bully the corner in all aspects of the route. What I mean is that like his size/physicality can help with his positioning when the ball is in there. A slighter build is more likely to get overpowered by the corner in that aspect, but XL won't be moved by most corners. That along with his speed is why he has so much potential. If we can buff out this kinks I think he has the potential to genuinely become one of the better WRs in the league.

Jalen Coker hasn't had as many flaws as XL, he seems a lot more polished. XL definitely has a higher ceiling, but as of right now Coker is the better receiver (and has a higher floor, obviously). He is a great route runner and he has great hands. He isn't the fastest in terms of acceleration or top speed, but he can still cut very quick and can get open. If he continues to improve I think he can be a good slot replacement for Thielen.

Haven't seen a ton from Jonathon Brooks yet, but I liked what I saw against the Bucs. He was good at picking up the blitz too, that's something I noticed. But he portrayed strength when he had the ball and the ability to fight for extra yards. One thing I did notice is that in an attempt to stiff arm a guy into hell he ended up getting stopped where he was before the first down marker when he could've just dove forward for extra yards and gotten the first. But in the pass game he looked great. And I think that's what I'm most excited about going forward. Chuba has been good in the passing game this season, but I feel like Brooks can be really good. And he would be a fantastic checkdown option for Bryce because I think he can do a lot after the catch.

Ja'Tavion Sanders is who I'm most excited about. He started the season very slow (expected of a mid-round TE), but I genuinely believe he got better and better every week. I was so upset when he got hurt because I thought he was making huge strides (still will, trust). I thought it would be worse, but I was so mad that it had to happen right as he was starting to really breakout (just our luck). I'm not super knowledgeable about how his blocking was, but apparently it was abysmal to start the season but in his last two games played he had a blocking score (PFF) of 70+. But his talent is a vertical threat is what's going to make him so good for us. He's displayed an incredible ability to go up and get the ball. And not just on short to medium routes, this dude can be a legit downfield threat for us. I think he has potential to be a 1000+ yard TE in the league. Maybe not for us depending on our WR room, but he has the skill to do it. But it seemed like he was Bryce's favorite target before the injury and I was really liking what I was seeing from that connection.

The #1 thing with our receiving room right now is drops. Bryce has been doing so much better in the last few games, but our receivers are still dropping too many great passes. Part of it could be building chemistry or just the anticipation throws catching them off guard, but we can't have 4,5, or 6 drops every game. Especially when a lot of them are on big chunk plays. The good news is that the team plans to have Coker and Ja'Tavion return this Sunday against the Eagles. Despite both being rookies, those are two of the better pass catchers on the team right now.

Overall I like what I'm seeing out of the guys. I think the one I'm most worried about is Legette. He has the most potential of any of the rookies, but he also probably has the lowest floor. He hasn;t been terrible by any means, but he still has a long path before he hits his potential.

I’ve managed to keep this ornament intact since 1995. From my family to yours, Keep Pounding!

But Godamn do I hope I am wrong. Seeing him smile out there does something to my serotonin receptors I haven’t felt from this team in a while.

He’s got a lot of proving left to do. We ain’t out of the woods yet.

Keep pounding boys. Play well and lose boys. Lose for the draft position!!

Since none of the reporters in the press conferences will ask the important question during this holiday season: does anyone know where I can buy this hoodie? Husband really likes it but I can’t find the exact match in the Panthers store.

Hi Guys, I need your help deciding on my first panthers jersey - became a fan in late 2022 when I became part of a fantasy league with my mates, and for some reason the panthers became my team. What a ride it has been and seeing the journey this team has been on recently has been incredible. I want to treat myself for Christmas but I'm torn between the QB showing tons of potential or the charismatic rookie WR. Help from a fan in NZ!!

I NEVER remember seeing our offense look so good and fluid under Fox or Rivera (2015 being the exception.) I also LOVE how he fully embraces the youth movement and rookies. Hell would have frozen over if Rivera put Jonathan Brooks or a rookie RB in the game during important moments like Canales did. Rivera HATED playing rookies.

He's not overly emotional, he's great to listen to, sharp as hell, just has that aura and vibe to him.

Yes Fox and Rivera took us to a SB that's not lost on me, but when is the last time you remember all these rookie and practice squad random guys playing for us and looking as good as they do. That's coaching 100%.

I'm so damn glad Ben Johnson turned us down, Canales is a superb HC and a equally superb playcaller

If you were like me, you eventually lost hope. Whether that was last season at some point, or after the loss week 2. Regardless, most of us had given up on Bryce Young.

I want to take this opportunity to say to Bryce:

I was wrong. I apologize. I was not familiar with your game. I am on board now. Let's go.

This is a thread for anyone who gave up too early, and feels super bad about it.

We can't point to anything specific but shoutout to red rifle for mentoring Bryce. He had definitely played a role.👍

I am hereby calling on Panther's Nation to start talking about it. The media to start putting the bug in the ears of fans. I can't think of another player who overcame more and altered the trajectory of a franchise this year by his improvement alone.

I (un)OFFICIALLY NOMINATE BRYCE YOUNG, NUMBER 9 QB FOR THE CAROLINA PANTHERS, FOR NFL COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Signed,

-A fan who gave up his right to say he was a Bryce supporter in week 1 of this season

Draft ourselves an edge rusher. Another corner. Extend Theilen. XL's rookie hands get better. Coker healthy. JT healthy. Bryce doesn't have PTSD at the beginning of the season. What could go wrong.

I’m a Carolina Panthers beanie nerd. I saw they did a beanie giveaway at the stadium! Does anybody know where I can purchase it? Or is there anybody that went, willing to sell one?

While I'm still not 100% sold on Bryce as our long-term solution at quarterback (I think he's shown enough that he belongs in the league - I just still feel like his limitations will inevitably limit his team's ceiling), I am LOVING the increased level of confidence and poise he's playing with.

While the play is still far from perfect, one thing we've seen from Bryce over the past few weeks is that he seems unafraid to make mistakes. I don't know if it's come from his mentality after the benching, something he picked up from Dalton, more faith in Canales, or just professional development - but he's playing a "nothing left to lose" style that's really refreshing.

Prior to getting benched, it felt like Bryce would collapse unless the play environment was perfect: happy feet in a muddy pocket, hesitation on throwing guys open, terrified to make a mistake to the point it would exacerbate the situation. The past few weeks, we've seen him make decisions with more confidence, and attack throwing windows in a way that misses don't turn into disasters. I've found myself saying "I see what they were trying to do there" a whole lot more than I used to say "what the f**k was he thinking."

It's been an exciting few weeks for our boys, and I'm thrilled to see the season finish out! Even in these past two losses, I've come out feeling like we were the better team for most of the game. Something I didn't think I'd be saying back in September.

#KeepPounding