Andrew PetersDecember 11, 2023
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
The Carolina Panthers had another tough loss on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, bringing their season total to 12 losses, with six of them in a row.
With only four games left in the season, the chances for a strong finish are getting slim. The Panthers are now in danger of only having one win for the second time in franchise history.
According to ESPN’s David Newton, rookie quarterback Bryce Young didn’t mince words about the loss and took responsibility for the team’s poor performance. “Lack of execution, especially from myself,” Young said. “I missed a lot of things. I thought we played well on the perimeter. We played well up front. I’ve got to continue to get better.”
Young struggled, throwing for just 137 yards with a 13/36 passing record. The No. 1 overall pick is having a rough start, and it’s been a difficult season for the Panthers. Even so, Young believes that it’s up to the team to turn things around for a better end to the season.
“We all are tired of it,” Young said. “But that doesn’t entitle us to anything. It’s on us. So no matter how tired we are, we’ve got to be better.”
The Panthers’ only victory was on Oct. 29 against the Houston Texans. They will face the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to finish the season. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Panthers are not expected to win any of their final four games.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns, who had one tackle in Sunday’s game, believes that Carolina has hit rock bottom this season.
“I mean, as far as rock-bottom, we’ve been at the bottom for a minute,” outside linebacker Brian Burns said. “The only thing you can do now is go up.”
It doesn’t look like things will magically improve for Carolina after the season ends. Despite the worst record in the league, the Panthers won’t have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft due to a trade last season. Carolina traded its 2024 first-round pick to the Chicago Bears to be able to draft Young.
The Panthers acknowledge that they are at rock bottom. The question now is how they will rebound.