Hot Take: This team will never get over the hump, until we move on from Bryce.

[KSpan]

For perspective, the Chiefs never got over the hump until they got Mahomes and then got Spagnuolo. Bryce needs to show he is beyond the Alex Smith/Teddy tier of QBs to get past the hump that matters.

[Joe Bear]

On 1/1/2025 at 4:02 AM, Jackson113.2 said:

After 2 seasons if Bryce,  I may have to rethink my Panthers watching habit next season if he's still here.

Trust me, everyone on here would be happier if you stopped watching (and posting).

[Jackson113.2]

[Day1PanthersFan]

2 hours ago, Jackson113.2 said:

It also helps to have a defense that doesn't give up 40 points a game

[Dingo_ate_Babies]

2 hours ago, Jackson113.2 said:

Stroud is not better than Herbert.

Hurts is not better than Love.

Both are on superior teams, especially Hurts. Eagles have the top D, RB, and O-line and 2 really good receivers. Their only weakness is him.

[rayzor]

4 hours ago, Day1PanthersFan said:

It also helps to have a defense that doesn't give up 40 points a game

this is the right answer. we had a HISTORICALLY bad defense that gave up far more points than they should have and actually cost us games we would have won by scoring as much as we did. When Bryce came back, he wasn't the problem. He would have been the reason we won games had the defense not given up so much. 

NFL.com has him as the 14th best regular season QB according to their QB index, and that's with the disaster that was the first couple weeks. 

https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-each-nfl-team-s-primary-starting-quarterback-from-the-2024-regular-season

[Icege]

If the team is able to maintain some continuity with the OL + young guys avoid sophomore slumps, then the offense is going to be in a good place.

Big question will be how long does it take to address the defense and what else becomes an issue during that time?

[mav1234]

50 minutes ago, rayzor said:

this is the right answer. we had a HISTORICALLY bad defense that gave up far more points than they should have and actually cost us games we would have won by scoring as much as we did. When Bryce came back, he wasn't the problem. He would have been the reason we won games had the defense not given up so much. 

NFL.com has him as the 14th best regular season QB according to their QB index, and that's with the disaster that was the first couple weeks. 

https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-each-nfl-team-s-primary-starting-quarterback-from-the-2024-regular-season

Yup. The D had a brief period of respectability vs NO, NYG, KC, and PHI. But even there they couldn't stop KC when it mattered most or hold the Bucs after Chuba's fumble. Bryce HAD to have the ball last for us to have a chance to win basically.

[mav1234]

2 minutes ago, Icege said:

If the team is able to maintain some continuity with the OL + young guys avoid sophomore slumps, then the offense is going to be in a good place.

Big question will be how long does it take to address the defense and what else becomes an issue during that time?

There will always be injuries so we need more O depth.  For the O specifically, I'm less about getting that coveted #1 receiver and more about adding more depth to the offense... We basically need depth everywhere, and we're likely losing some in FA already.

[Icege]

34 minutes ago, mav1234 said:

There will always be injuries so we need more O depth.  For the O specifically, I'm less about getting that coveted #1 receiver and more about adding more depth to the offense... We basically need depth everywhere, and we're likely losing some in FA already.

Couldn't agree more re: offensive depth. Every starter on the OL this season missed time and yet the unit still performed above average thanks to guys like Cade Mays and Brady Christensen filling in. Sounds like Brady is going to search for starter money somewhere else (awesome for him and his family if they get it!), but bringing back Cade Mays and finding another high quality sixth man would be an excellent start. Then there's the question re: Corbett to answer as well.

WR room is going to need bodies for sure since only Legette, Coker, and Thielen are under contract for next season. TE room as well since Sanders is the only one under contract (though Matthews did just sign on for next season).

And finally, what to do with QB2?

It's nice to be excited about an offseason that can build upon the previous season again.