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It's a national broadcast per Google AI. There's always a way to watch BTW, or so I've been told.

I mean, this year we should've easily been a playoff team in my opinion. We should have easily had two or three more wins--at least one--had not Bryce crapped the bed. But let's be serious about human nature and what we know about our FO. I wouldn't bet the farm that Bryce will be anything but the defacto starter in 2026, because (inconsistent though it was) we have exceeded expectations this year, and some in the FO probably believe, rightly or wrongly, that Bryce is at the center of that. You know, piece of bread seems like a meal if all you've had is a cracker. That being said, Bryce has shown plenty of inconsistency if not a downright pattern of flaws. He's a third year QB, and some, if not most, of his metrics aren't pretty. It could be argued that he should be further along (for me it's not really arguable). So, hopefully the decision makers will acquire a couple of plan Bs. I would hate it and love it if we identified "our guy" in the draft, and that it was somehow achievable to acquire him with a couple of high draft picks or even less. But we already pulled the trigger on Bryce with arguably awful results, so that's got to make the decision makers a little skittish to repeat a mistake that should be still fresh on everyone's mind. That being said, I think that it's more likely that we acquire a player like Mac Jones, Malik Willis or Trey Lance in free agency, and also target a day two or day three developmental pick in the draft with some real upside. That pick for would be Drew Allar who should slide to day three (I'm thinking). I think that this is more realistic than them releasing Bryce from his starter's role from the get-go, or someone just flat out playing themselves definitely into the starter's role by the time the season begins. Now, again, if we can find "our guy" that changes the narrative and is expected to be the starter from day one, I'd be excited, if not downright ecstatic, but I don't think that's a realistic expectation. Getting back to the team in general, If we don't make some improvements, including QB, I wouldn't bet that we'd necessarily be a playoff team next year, because, the rest of the NFCS is likely to improve next year. I don't expect that teams in our division will be necessarily able to "backdoor" themselves into the playoffs next season. So we're going to have to hit on at least a couple of picks, get healthy along the line, and fundamentally change the way we're calling plays because lightning probably isn't striking twice. I'm hoping that we'll have a real breakthrough season by 2028, because this season and next season aren't likely to be it because removing ball-and-chains ain't easy unless you got the key, and It's still gonna take some time to find it.

I am not one to poo your posts, and I actually agree with some of your theses, but all "The View" stuff and "Low T" stuff is over-the-top. We have an imperfect team, and though there's potential there, it isn't all sunshine. And the fact is, men and fans are going to disagree on the regular about the best way for the team to get to where it needs to be. No need for all that, because people could characterize others as "Low-T" for trying to blow sunshine up people's asses and getting nonplussed because they don't agree with you.

This hasn't got a thing to do with X's country leanings and southern drawl (I may be perceived as having one, particularly from Yankees or Midwesterners of which I grew up with), but regarding football IQ he may just be unduly affecting the entire perception of the OP's perception of the team on that front. I could be wrong (let's get that out of the way), but in general, I just think that the team's inconsistency of lack of execution is due to a lack of talent, a lack of coaching--specifically a failure to utilize personnel effectively, and, along that same vein, a lack of scheme fit to maximize players' skills, and/or simply an inability to overcome weak links at pretty important positions on both sides of the ball. It could be some, part, or all of those things. And, the fact is, we just don't appear to be ready for the big time. We need some more pieces and more experience. Only then will we have a team whose IQ is not questioned, and a that wins and is expected to win.

That's somewhat intriguing, but we don't think outside the box, and he probably wants to remain a CB.

He sucks!

See the "participation trophy" thing is not on point. As always, literally, it's all about math. Each team begins the season with the same opportunity and if it comes down to a tiebreaker, that means one team did enough while the other one(s) did not. Win one more game throughout a 17 game season, and you don't have to rely on tiebreakers.

I will probably be thinking that during the offseason, just not in terms of the Saints, but a team a little closer to home.

Willis substituted for Love last season, and he made a very good impression. I didn't see Saturday's game (a loss), but I can tell you that since he's been filling in for Love, he's done OK for himself. He's been on my radar since last season.

This is likely one of the few times you'll ever ever see me root for the Falcons. The Panthers have put fans in a tough and unsavory position of rooting for the Dirty Birds for two consecutive games. It is what it is. We have two ways of getting in, and I'm rooting for both of them. "If the Atlanta Falcons win their final two games, versus the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night and the New Orleans Saints next weekend, they'd finish the campaign at 8-9. That outcome coupled with a Bucs win over the Panthers in their season finale would result in a three-way tie atop the NFC South, with Tampa and Carolina also at 8-9. If that is indeed what occurs, then the Panthers—thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker—would capture the crown." https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/12/28/panthers-buccaneers-falcons-week-18-playoff-clinching-scenarios/87937990007/

Corral was simply rated much higher, and that's not revisionist history. Comparing Bryce and Stroud, and even X and Ladd to Corral and Willis seems like more of an apples to oranges comparison in my opinion. That being said, Willis likely would've flopped here, just like Corral did. Hell, Stroud may not be the QB he is either (but that's an interesting aside to ponder). The thing with X and Ladd was we went for upside and RAS over definitive route running...which was stupid IMO, but several teams skipped the smallish, unassuming white guy, notwithstanding his expert route running...

Yep, Bryce is not athletic enough to ascend beyond his own physical limitations. I know that that statement is straight from Mr. Obvious and unnecessary to be said, but damned if some people just don't seem to get it.

The problem is, I just think Bryce is too short to see the field. He can't see the passing lanes because he can't see over the line, and that's why he bails the pocket so quickly on a comparative basis.

Good Lord! I bet the O-line play wasn't the worst since 1980. And @thebdawg, injuries absolutely can make for a bad showing at the end of the day. That's not an excuse, it's just a fact.

The playoffs are on the line; you play to win the damned game. It's really preposterous to think that the Panthers will strive to do otherwise. But I can understand the rationale of fans thinking losing would be better in the short and long term, I just disagree with it. At some point you have to think in terms of standing on business while winning, not looking to improve by losing. fug a few spots at draft position. I've always said that if your GM, scouts and HC can't identify talent to improve the team in every round, especially days one and two, then they don't need to be on the job. I give them the built-in grace on day three, but only because of historical probabilities, but there is no excuse for not being able to come away with at least one impactful starter on day one, and very little excuse to not come away with one on day two. No one will ever make me believe that when you have first, second and even third round draft picks that you can't come away with a player that continually (not continuously) has a positive affect on the field, so it makes little sense in my opinion to whine about approximately five draft positions. Now if we get to the playoffs and win in the first round, admittedly our draft position would be markedly different, but I'm never gonna cry about winning. Like AI said, I expect the FO to do its damned job regardles.