2025 Carolina Panthers: Looking Forward to Continued Improvement, Keep Pounding! (3 Viewers)

[menobrown]

McCaffrey and DJ Moore owners can perhaps smile a bit more.

Why? Especically for CMC it's not like there is an issue with his playing time.

My first thought when I saw this was that maybe Panthers would do a tear down and explore a trade for CMC. Then I saw it would create a cap charge of $17M when they only have $9M. Not impossible but would take a lot of work to get under the cap and at least he's the main draw right now so seems like an extreme longshot.

If anything, as this relates to CMC, I'm concerned about them scaling back his workload. I would if I was them.

 

[Desert_Power]

Made a comment yesterday that the Falcons under Arthur Smith always seem to play hard. He gets more out of that team than the talent on the roster. Rhule's Panthers are the opposite of that. They have a lot more talent than their level of play. The defense has looked really good at times, but they cannot hold off teams forever. I know that all of the QBs have question marks, but the playcalling is abysmal.

1-3 against a slate of 4 very beatable teams and the scehdule doesn't get easier. Each morning I check Twitter hoping to see this coach is fired.

Finally.......

Gotta think the sheer amount of Red in the stands yesterday helped out. Looked like a 9ers home game.

 

[zamboni]

McCaffrey and DJ Moore owners can perhaps smile a bit more.

Why? Especically for CMC it's not like there is an issue with his playing time.

My first thought when I saw this was that maybe Panthers would do a tear down and explore a trade for CMC. Then I saw it would create more cap charge of $17M when they only have $9M. Not impossible but would take a lot of work to get under the cap and at least he's the main draw right now so seems like an extreme longshot.

If anything, as this relates to CMC, I'm concerned about them scaling back his workload. I would if I was them.

Better in terms of them running a ridiculously low number of plays thus far, which of course comes from so many short drives. Not like Wilks is probably going to be a savior, but often teams get fired up when a new coach comes in.

 

[Desert_Power]

And that's that.

Matt Rhule is fired.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1579489196615819264?t=jkjxEtl_NIv7dWgCbW4ROQ&s=19

Had to figure that was coming.

McCaffrey and DJ Moore owners can perhaps smile a bit more.

Have they announced the interim HC?

ETA: Never mind, just saw that it was Wilks

Wilks is the right choice. He's from Charlotte and spent a lot of time with the Panthers in the last decade. He's coaching a really awesome and talented defense. Offense can't really get worse.

 

[zamboni]

And that's that.

Matt Rhule is fired.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1579489196615819264?t=jkjxEtl_NIv7dWgCbW4ROQ&s=19

Had to figure that was coming.

McCaffrey and DJ Moore owners can perhaps smile a bit more.

Have they announced the interim HC?

ETA: Never mind, just saw that it was Wilks

Wilks is the right choice. He's from Charlotte and spent a lot of time with the Panthers in the last decade. He's coaching a really awesome and talented defense. Offense can't really get worse.

With Ben McAdoo still at the helm though, I'm not sure if they'll get any better. Maybe more energized, but not necessarily better play calling.

 

[Insein]

Defensive Coordinator also fired.

 

[Payne]

Defensive Coordinator also fired.

Thought he became the interim coach?

 

[Dizzy]

And that's that.

Matt Rhule is fired.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1579489196615819264?t=jkjxEtl_NIv7dWgCbW4ROQ&s=19

Had to figure that was coming.

McCaffrey and DJ Moore owners can perhaps smile a bit more.

Ooh, did they fire Baker Mayfield too?

 

[zamboni]

Defensive Coordinator also fired.

Thought he became the interim coach?

Wilks was the secondary coach.

Not sure how McAdoo came out unscathed - the offense seems to be a much bigger issue.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Defensive Coordinator also fired.

Thought he became the interim coach?

Wilks was the secondary coach.

Not sure how McAdoo came out unscathed - the offense seems to be a much bigger issue.

Wilks is a defensive coach so they probably think it makes sense to keep the OC. But he is very poor, IMHO. Was terrible with the Giants as well. So I wouldn't really expect the offense to get much better this season.

 

[travdogg]

McCaffrey and DJ Moore owners can perhaps smile a bit more.

If anything, as this relates to CMC, I'm concerned about them scaling back his workload. I would if I was them.

I'm not concerned about CMC's workload at all. Hell, I could see it rising just from the offense having more plays in general.

Wilks and McAdoo are going to be coaching for future employment. CMC seeing 25 touches a week is the best and most logical thing they could do.

 

[phandango]

I'm really disappointed that Matt Corral's foot injury will keep him out for the season. I drafted him in a ton of leagues for this exact scenario -- a struggling Baker fails to deliver wins for a flailing team. Oh well.

 

[menobrown]

Better in terms of them running a ridiculously low number of plays thus far

Hell, I could see it rising just from the offense having more plays in general.

Sure but I don't see one issue were Rhule was the reason for the low number of plays. It can go up based on principle it has nowhere other direction to go but Ruhle was not keeping this offense down.

Wilks and McAdoo are going to be coaching for future employment

They are going to do what Tepper tells them to do and if he decides not running CMC into the ground in a wasted season is the best course of action he'll see his workload scaled back.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Thought he became the interim coach?

Wilks was the passing game coordinator/secondary coach.

 

[Desert_Power]

Defensive Coordinator also fired.

Thought he became the interim coach?

Wilks was the secondary coach.

Not sure how McAdoo came out unscathed - the offense seems to be a much bigger issue.

Wilks is a defensive coach so they probably think it makes sense to keep the OC. But he is very poor, IMHO. Was terrible with the Giants as well. So I wouldn't really expect the offense to get much better this season.

Agreed. Kinda shocking to see McAdoo still employed. If Rhule were smart, he could have bought a couple of weeks by canning him.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Wilks is a defensive coach so they probably think it makes sense to keep the OC. But he is very poor, IMHO. Was terrible with the Giants as well. So I wouldn't really expect the offense to get much better this season.

Remember when you defended Jerry Sandusky and Penn State and also Sam Darnold and ridiculed me on the board for being in my head? How you feelin' now, ConstruxBoy? Feeling good? This is funny. You've got both Baker and Sam. Good work, from the front office to your alumni giving. We ALL want to hear from you again about these issues.

Rent. Free.

 

[Jayrok]

Well we knew it was coming, part of me thought it would be at the end of the season, though. Rhule will be the hot coaching candidate in college now.

I like the Wilks promotion and hope they keep him on next season as DC perhaps. And I hope Tepper shows patience with the new HC hiring process.

 

[Jayrok]

Made a comment yesterday that the Falcons under Arthur Smith always seem to play hard. He gets more out of that team than the talent on the roster. Rhule's Panthers are the opposite of that. They have a lot more talent than their level of play. The defense has looked really good at times, but they cannot hold off teams forever. I know that all of the QBs have question marks, but the playcalling is abysmal.

1-3 against a slate of 4 very beatable teams and the scehdule doesn't get easier. Each morning I check Twitter hoping to see this coach is fired.

Finally.......

Gotta think the sheer amount of Red in the stands yesterday helped out. Looked like a 9ers home game.

This is always bothersome but it's what happens when your team isn't successful and you're playing legacy teams like the 49ers, Bears, Packers, Cboys, Eagles, Steelers... teams from large football cities.

The Rams just won the superbowl and they often feel like the visiting team at home when they play certain teams. Winning consistently would seem to fix that over time.

The Panthers have had short pockets of success with long periods of mediocrity. Time to find the right coaching staff.

 

[Jayrok]

We'll probably hear hot names like Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore. I'm just not sure about continuing to take shots at hot names. Sean Payton isn't taking this job unless he could bring some hand picked players with him, like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes. Heck, he still probably wouldn't take it.

I certainly don't want to see Tepper looking at College coaches for this job. We've had defensive coaches (e.g. Fox, Rivera, Capers). I'd like to see an offensive mind with NFL coaching experience... someone who can draft a QB and develop him. Doug Pederson type would be nice. If Dan Quinn could bring along Kellen Moore as OC... maybe.

Odds of wrestling away Sean McVay?

 

[Jayrok]

How many picks have we lost since Rhule's last few trades and drafts?

Would like to move some players to help rebuild draft capital. Don't want to lose Burns but I wouldn't mind seeing CMC move if it will gain a nice pick or two. Ditto for DJ Moore unfortunately. Robby Anderson for sure if someone would take him.

DJ - Packers, Ravens, Giants, Chiefs?
CMC - Bills, Packers, Rams? I'm sure lots of teams would love CMC but his salary... that's an issue.

It would be great if we could replace some high picks and open up some salary space. But don't want our whole team picked to scraps.

But you have to break some eggs if you want to make a good omelet. Alright Fitterer, Let's go.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The whole team is for sale now?
McCaffrey can be traded for apparently? DJ Moore?

What is the plan here? Race for the No 1 pick and a dumpster fire the rest of the way?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The Rams just won the superbowl and they often feel like the visiting team at home when they play certain teams.

That's for 2 reasons. LA is not a football city and its filled with transients.

 

[Drake Hater]

Tepper is going to be a disaster of an owner for this franchise, potentially Snyder level bad if not worse.

 

[Bri]

Watching Baker be Baker week one and then be a good boy and run their Larry Centers offense after has been brutal.
There have been other teams that tried this "throw to the RB every other play" offense and every single one has failed. It's ridiculously easy to defend.
Rhule was foolishly addicted to this offense even after OCs changed and CMC got hurt-like at this point he has to prove his bad idea would work out.
PJ Walker has been such a tease- a sign of how he ran his college offense, the reason he got the Panthers job, where the heck was that offense?
PJ to start this week- is he the guy we saw rock in the XFL(what league was that)? Oh we don't know because last time he started Cam Newton took all the snaps inside the 20.

Soooo moving forward this is how to win more games- whatever offense the OC came from, run that. Boom mission accomplished.

This is not a bad team. They made a few bad moves this off-season. Before that they were a sleeper type potential top 5 D.
They've got plenty of QB depth, two good WRs (if not more) great RB, solid TE.

The owner was dead on about the culture. QBs can't gain confidence throwing to the RB fifty times a game and the defense having to play 1000 minutes because of it doesn't help them. It's easily fixable though. Let football do it. The game itself will fix a lot of they just play it normally.

Trade CMC? Will he fetch three first rounders like in fantasy? Then do it. Otherwise use your backs. Chuba looked like a potential guy, classic rookie last year- some flashes, some struggles. Foreman finally hit his draft potential in Tennessee smashing his way to way more yards than anyone expected. It doesn't really matter who gets 100 yards rushing.They all can. CMC can get all the first and second down work, Chuba third, and Foreman short yardage and that's an excellent rushing unit maybe top 5.
Wanna make CMC like Deebo? then do that.
Wanna make him a 1000 yard rush receiving back? then steal the Edge Colts or Faulk Rams offense.
Don't throw to him 1000 times per game and let the darn QBs run through normal progressions which include WRs and TEs first.

Rebuild stuff- then find out how each player is for example Shi Smith, start him and get him ten targets. Good? Bad? Next player to evaluate.

QBs have so much trade value. Give PJ, Darnold, and Baker starts running a normal offense. Maybe just maybe they all look good as each has had their supporters over the years. Cut whoever doesn't! Eat that salary ASAP. Is Corral the future? Then can you get third or fourth round picks for each of these QBs?

Lastly, make a rule to never ever throw more than three passes in a game to CMC in 2022. I don't care if Baker has to draw a play in the dirt. Force them to play regular offense.

 

[Jayrok]

The whole team is for sale now?
McCaffrey can be traded for apparently? DJ Moore?

What is the plan here? Race for the No 1 pick and a dumpster fire the rest of the way?

I wouldn't expect a fire sale. This team has good players and if they can get the QB position right, I believe they can contend in the NFC. But realistically, there are players that other teams might consider giving up picks for to help them win this year. The team is not in a rebuild, imo, but if they can make a good move that will help going forward, I'm all for it. If they can find a team that will give up future picks for CMC, I hope they would consider it. Don't expect a Hershel Walker Cowboys/Minnesota trade, but you never know what may be offered. CMC is in his prime, but he isn't going to take us to a SB. He could definitely help some other team get to one sooner than later, though, and if that can in turn help us make the team better, then go for it.

I don't see them tanking for Young or Stroud and I don't think we'll get the #1 pick. Top 5 most likely.

 

[Bri]

I looked up PJs rushing stats.... unbelievable if you watched him in the XFL or college or with the Colts in preseason.
Panthers WRs per route run stats are absurd. Actually want to pat them on the back for continuing to run and run hard despite the likelihood being targeted being so low.
Everything...again...is easily fixable if they just play a regular offense for the rest of the year.

 

[Jayrok]

So there's this goat and one day he comes across this rope...

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

So is Robbie Anderson about to be let go or what?

 

[Jayrok]

So is Robbie Anderson about to be let go or what?

Wish they could trade him, even though there is dead money (~20m?) if they do that.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Any chance we look at Wilks and the role of the coaches in the confrontation on the sidelines?

-I've watched the video and Anderson gets right in the face of the coach, borderline taps or rubs his face mask on him while he is in close proximity, that's a very threatening and aggressive move.
How about since Anderson is $20M ATC, sounds like he's been around long enough to be able to ask to speak with his WR coach by the bench or perhaps back in the locker room, why let it spill out right there so close to the field of play? Terrible look and makes it hard to defend Robbie but I'm sure it's not fun for guys like him and CMC right now, Moore perhaps on that list, not fun to be a Panther for Tepper right now.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Matt Rhule 11-27
Steve Wilks 3-14 now as a head coach in the NFL

Combined record of their NFL leadership a whopping 14-41
Chew on that for a bit

 

[Jayrok]

Any chance we look at Wilks and the role of the coaches in the confrontation on the sidelines?

-I've watched the video and Anderson gets right in the face of the coach, borderline taps or rubs his face mask on him while he is in close proximity, that's a very threatening and aggressive move.
How about since Anderson is $20M ATC, sounds like he's been around long enough to be able to ask to speak with his WR coach by the bench or perhaps back in the locker room, why let it spill out right there so close to the field of play? Terrible look and makes it hard to defend Robbie but I'm sure it's not fun for guys like him and CMC right now, Moore perhaps on that list, not fun to be a Panther for Tepper right now.

It's never a good look for a player to have a heated argument with a coach, let alone get in the face of a coach. Gives a sense that the coaching staff doesn't have the locker room. Losing isn't fun for anyone but there needs to be respect on the field and in the locker room.

I believe there is opportunity for this team to be competitive on a regular basis but changes need to be made. I like Wilks but not convinced he will be a good HC in this league. We need to get the head coach right and we need to find that QB and give him protection. Everything else can be built around that imo.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Any chance we look at Wilks and the role of the coaches in the confrontation on the sidelines?

-I've watched the video and Anderson gets right in the face of the coach, borderline taps or rubs his face mask on him while he is in close proximity, that's a very threatening and aggressive move.
How about since Anderson is $20M ATC, sounds like he's been around long enough to be able to ask to speak with his WR coach by the bench or perhaps back in the locker room, why let it spill out right there so close to the field of play? Terrible look and makes it hard to defend Robbie but I'm sure it's not fun for guys like him and CMC right now, Moore perhaps on that list, not fun to be a Panther for Tepper right now.

It's never a good look for a player to have a heated argument with a coach, let alone get in the face of a coach. Gives a sense that the coaching staff doesn't have the locker room. Losing isn't fun for anyone but there needs to be respect on the field and in the locker room.

I believe there is opportunity for this team to be competitive on a regular basis but changes need to be made. I like Wilks but not convinced he will be a good HC in this league. We need to get the head coach right and we need to find that QB and give him protection. Everything else can be built around that imo.

Apparently the owner firing the Head Coach didn't do a lot to instill the fear of God into anyone that is still working there.
Tepper is not looking good right now, seems to have no control over the team or himself for that matter. It's starting to look more like Haslam in Cleveland, itchy trigger finger, knee jerk reacts, doesn't seem to honor the history of the franchise prior to him getting control or ownership over the team. I'm not impressed and have been vocal about it for a long time. I don't respect Stephen Ross, the owner of my beloved Phins, in fact I would say he is far worse since he's burned our 1st round pick and is still serving a suspension, the first of it's kind that I know of, puts him on his own level honestly. But somewhere in that bottom 5 I have Tepper and maybe a franchise QB that falls in their lap in the Draft, maybe that will right the ship. I feel bad for the fan base there, deserve much better.

 

[BassNBrew]

And that's that.

Matt Rhule is fired.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1579489196615819264?t=jkjxEtl_NIv7dWgCbW4ROQ&s=19

Had to figure that was coming.

McCaffrey and DJ Moore owners can perhaps smile a bit more.

Have they announced the interim HC?

ETA: Never mind, just saw that it was Wilks

Offense can't really get worse.

I would have agreed with you and we both would have been wrong.

 

[BassNBrew]

The whole team is for sale now?
McCaffrey can be traded for apparently? DJ Moore?

What is the plan here? Race for the No 1 pick and a dumpster fire the rest of the way?

Personally I think Moore is a bargain at his salary and the type of player you need to be successful in today's game. Find a QB as good as Tua and pick up a Waddle in the draft. Add that to CMC and a middling oline and you have an offense that scores enough points to win.

 

[Jayrok]

Well that was quick. Panthers trade Anderson to the Cardinals.

 

[BassNBrew]

Well that was quick. Panthers trade Anderson to the Cardinals.

Nevermind....didn't see that Brown is hurt.

 

[Birdie048]

Apparently the owner firing the Head Coach didn't do a lot to instill the fear of God into anyone that is still working there.
Tepper is not looking good right now, seems to have no control over the team or himself for that matter. It's starting to look more like Haslam in Cleveland, itchy trigger finger, knee jerk reacts, doesn't seem to honor the history of the franchise prior to him getting control or ownership over the team. I'm not impressed and have been vocal about it for a long time. I don't respect Stephen Ross, the owner of my beloved Phins, in fact I would say he is far worse since he's burned our 1st round pick and is still serving a suspension, the first of it's kind that I know of, puts him on his own level honestly. But somewhere in that bottom 5 I have Tepper and maybe a franchise QB that falls in their lap in the Draft, maybe that will right the ship. I feel bad for the fan base there, deserve much better.

Tepper has numerous negative rumblings about him in the Carolinas. He has burned several bridges on both sides of the Border (NC/SC Border). He was looking for State/County funds for a variety of "creations" like the a new huge Sports Complex, but he did not get the $ he wanted so he pulled out angering both sides after lots of man hours spent working on proposals and benefits.
I was in Charlotte a few weeks ago and some local comments are he is an absolute horrible person to work for thus creating a bad work environment. He won't pull in high caliber coaches or Executives and things will only go down in a toilet bowl spiral.

 

[BassNBrew]

Apparently the owner firing the Head Coach didn't do a lot to instill the fear of God into anyone that is still working there.
Tepper is not looking good right now, seems to have no control over the team or himself for that matter. It's starting to look more like Haslam in Cleveland, itchy trigger finger, knee jerk reacts, doesn't seem to honor the history of the franchise prior to him getting control or ownership over the team. I'm not impressed and have been vocal about it for a long time. I don't respect Stephen Ross, the owner of my beloved Phins, in fact I would say he is far worse since he's burned our 1st round pick and is still serving a suspension, the first of it's kind that I know of, puts him on his own level honestly. But somewhere in that bottom 5 I have Tepper and maybe a franchise QB that falls in their lap in the Draft, maybe that will right the ship. I feel bad for the fan base there, deserve much better.

Tepper has numerous negative rumblings about him in the Carolinas. He has burned several bridges on both sides of the Border (NC/SC Border). He was looking for State/County funds for a variety of "creations" like the a new huge Sports Complex, but he did not get the $ he wanted so he pulled out angering both sides after lots of man hours spent working on proposals and benefits.
I was in Charlotte a few weeks ago and some local comments are he is an absolute horrible person to work for thus creating a bad work environment. He won't pull in high caliber coaches or Executives and things will only go down in a toilet bowl spiral.

Over blown.

Brought in a MLS franchise against all odds. It was ahuge hit in this town.

2022 MLS Attendance - Soccer Stadium Digest

We saw a strong close at the gate on the 2022 MLS attendance front in Week 34, led by good crowds for Orlando and New York Red Bulls matches.

soccerstadiumdigest.com

 

[BassNBrew]

Compensation update: Panthers traded WR Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals in exchange for a 6th-round pick in 2024 and a 7th-round pick in 2025, per source.

Unluckily for Carolina, however, they’ll still be on the hook for a massive amount of dead cap money thanks to Anderson’s two-year extension he inked last summer. While they do save $690,000 for 2022, the Panthers will have to take on a total hit of $19.4 million over the next two seasons.

 

[BassNBrew]

**** this team. Done with them Going to root for SF this year.

 

[BassNBrew]

This reminds me of my beloved Cubs trading Bruce Sutter to the hated St. Loser Cardinals. Never rooted for the Cubs again.

 

[simey]

**** this team. Done with them Going to root for SF this year.

I root for Tepper to sell the team to someone else. I do not care for him at all.

 

[Jayrok]

I'm happy for Christian and wish him success. I don't hate the 4 draft picks but time will tell how the Panthers came out in this trade. Hopefully they get some of these trade slots right.

Six draft picks in the last week. Let's see what the Panthers can do with them. Either way, they still have to get the head coach hire right this time.

 

[Jayrok]

Glad it was the 49ers and not the Bucs. I bet Jimmy G is happy this morning. Looking forward to see how they use CMC.

 

[Desert_Power]

Have to question moving him for such a light price. The Niners are likely a playoff team so all of these picks will be in the back third of the rounds. No firsts.

At least I'll always have my CMC signed mini-helmet to look at.

 

[BassNBrew]

So a delivery truck pulls up with a package for me. I meet the driver and he asks if I'm going to be playing for the Panthers this week. Guess I need to lose some weight Anyway I tell him I'm now a 49ers fan and he starts laughing....says he just told his brother the same thing.

We You are now officially the worst team in the league.

 

[Jayrok]

Have to question moving him for such a light price. The Niners are likely a playoff team so all of these picks will be in the back third of the rounds. No firsts.

At least I'll always have my CMC signed mini-helmet to look at.

May be a little FOMO. Although they wanted a 1st I think they realized that likely wouldn't happen with his salary and missed games concerns. If they got a 1st then it would probably just be that 1st in the deal... and as you mentioned, a late first rounder. To look at the optimistic side, I like the multiple picks.

IIRC, that gives us (for 2023) an early 1st, two 2nd, two 3rd and two 4th round picks. Seven picks in the first 4 rounds, you'd think we could grab some quality talent there. Our first may be one of the top QBs in the draft. So a couple of the 2nd and 3rd rounders may be late rounders, but we'll have early ones too to go with them. Maybe they'll package some for a better pick if the selection is right, who knows? Of course the key is smart selections.

The 49ers are trying to win this year and he helps that cause. But I think they gave up a lot for a highly paid RB who won't be getting any younger. If he played QB, then we would have gotten robbed in this deal.

The question for the 49ers, imo, is the addition of CMC enough to beat the Chiefs or Bills in the SB? or enough to get them to the SB?

 

[Jayrok]

This reminds me of my beloved Cubs trading Bruce Sutter to the hated St. Loser Cardinals. Never rooted for the Cubs again.

Man I hated to hear of his passing the other day. One of the best pitchers ever.

 

[BassNBrew]

Don't look now, but if the Ravens beat the Bucs Thursday and we beat Atlanta, your Panthers are in first place and my 49ers are in last place.