DONALD WATKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST


Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young’s most productive season as a professional earned him a fifth year under contract with the Panthers, who won the NFC South title for the first time since 2015. 

At 1-3 for the second straight season, the Panthers were coming off a 42-13 beatdown by New England and started slowly against Miami at Bank of America Stadium. 

Midway through the second quarter, the Dolphins sprinted to a 17-0 lead and lined up to defend a fourth-and-4 play near midfield. 

The Panthers needed a big play after quarterback Bryce Young lost a fumble and threw an interception on the first two possessions. 

Scrambling to the far sideline, Young sidestepped linebacker Bradley Chubb then spotted rookie Tetairoa McMillan and released a pass a moment before linebacker Jaelan Phillips pushed him to the ground. 
McMillan secured a 21-yard reception. Five plays later, Xavier Legette caught a 7-yard touchdown pass. The rare clutch reception by the second-year receiver helped fuel a Rico Dowdle-inspired comeback. 

Imagine what could have developed if Chubb wasn’t faked out by Young’s juke move or if Phillips had been a step quicker for a sack. The Dolphins would have started their next possession beyond midfield with under seven minutes left in the quarter. They would have been in prime position to go up four scores against a demoralized opponent. 

The Panthers’ season could have spiraled out of control. Instead, coach Dave Canales’ risky call led to a 27-24 win that sparked a season-best three-game winning streak. Dowdle torched the Dolphins for 206 rushing yards, the second-highest total in franchise history, and Young directed the first of six fourth-quarter comebacks.
Season saved.  

The Panthers went on to alternate wins and losses over the next 12 games, putting themselves in position to take advantage of the league’s weakest division. They captured the NFC South title despite an 8-9 record and being outscored by 69 points.  

Qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, the Panthers’ season ended with a 34-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a dramatic Wild Card matchup. 

When the players cleared out their lockers Sunday, most spoke of the revived home-field advantage they received from late-season near-sellouts. Despite Carolina’s inconsistencies, the second-year regime of general manager Dan Morgan and Canales took a big step toward revitalizing the franchise.  

If nothing else, the Panthers proved they were prepared for “real playoff football,” guard Robert Hunt said. “We took a really, really good team, who I think could go win the Super Bowl, to the end of the game. This place was rocking. That was beautiful. 

“We’ve got a core group of guys that’s coming back. We can compete with anyone.” 

Looking forward 

With a sense of rejuvenation, the Panthers entered the offseason with several questions. Here are some of the most significant issues to be addressed ahead of OTAs in the spring:

• Highlighted by Dowdle, the Panthers have 19 unrestricted, four pending restricted and two exclusive-rights free agents this offseason. How Morgan handles the team’s depth could determine if they successfully repeat their division title. 

• The Panthers extended Young’s rookie contract to five years, according to general manager Dan Morgan. Young posted career highs in passing yards (3,250) and total touchdowns (27). 

When asked during their separate post-game press conferences, Canales and Young both deflected the questions. Since entering the league, Young compiled a league-best 12 game-winning drives. 

• Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was roundly criticized for directing a soft zone on the Rams’ game-winning drive Saturday. Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 6-of-7 passes and covered all 71 yards through the air. 

Canales, who revealed Evero earlier this season signed a contract extension through 2027, is reportedly set to interview for head coach vacancies in Atlanta and Las Vegas.  

• What will Morgan do at left tackle? Starter Ikem Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon Saturday that will require surgery and recovery time between six months to a year. It was a tough break for Ekwonu, whose representatives were in the midst of negotiating a new contract. 

It also means Morgan will be forced to acquire a top-line replacement to start next season. 

• Carolina has a rising star in McMillan, who recorded a franchise rookie record of 1,014 yards and paced all first-year players with 70 catches and seven touchdowns. He’s a finalist for NFC offensive rookie of the year honors. 

The room also has Jalen Coker, who is emerging as a trusted WR2 after scoring four touchdowns in his final six starts. Then there’s Legette. Too often, the 2024 first-round draft pick dropped passes, ran indifferent routes and failed to display awareness on the field. Canales routinely defended Legette. Is time running out? 

• Canales, known as a quarterback guru, attended more defensive and special teams meetings last season. Canales often promotes a tough, family-like, locker-room culture. He described the Panthers’ playoff performance as “gritty.” 

Cornerback Mike Jackson attempted to sum up the season by suggesting “we’ve got a lot to build on.” 

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