If Bryce doesn’t produce, we moving on?

[kungfoodude]

I think the issue is what "make" and what "break" look like. The other and perhaps scarier situation is that we are just sort of in the middle of those two. Then we are in the unenviable position of having to pay a MFer that might NOT be the guy.

[frankw]

What is the definition of "produce" in this context?

We don't necessarily need to win I don't think anyone expects a winning record but we should absolutely improve overall and the offense undoubtedly should look significantly better both in the passing and running game.

As long as Bryce is showcasing why he was the #1 pick and looking like a top 12-15 QB minimum amongst his peers then he is the guy. But if we can't even reach mid behind center with this improved supporting cast then we need to draft another quarterback it's as simple as that.

All that being said. I expect Bryce to carryover the confidence leadership and passing ability he showcased at the end of the season. That is the best case scenario for all of us.

[tukafan21]

2 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

THIS

The funny thing, is that yea, I've been one of the biggest Bryce bashers since we drafted him, and not just on here, my friends all know I was never happy with the trade or pick.

Well after the Bears used our final pick from that trade, a friend tried to troll me in a group chat by sending that final list of everything and my response was, "all I see is a trade the Panthers won" which of course they called me a liar for, but for me, it's now very much true.

Bryce has now fallen into the same category as the Clausen pick for me.

I despised the Clausen pick, absolutely hated it (obviously for good reason), but in retrospect, I love the pick because it's what started the chain of dominoes that lead to us getting Cam, without Clausen, we likely never get to have Cam.

That trade was the starting of the dominoes that lead to us getting T-Mac, and for me, no matter my feelings towards Bryce or however he turns out as a player, I'll now always love the trade/pick because it got my guy to Carolina, LOL.

[Mistuh Jones]

Look, we've all got PTSD. But I truly think we're watching the beginning of the ascent for our boys in black and blue

[ForJimmy]

Probably a lot of factors but if he plays bad and puts us in a spot to draft his replacement that’s on him. Hopefully he builds on last part of last year and keeps developing. Confidence seems to be a big thing with his play. 

[CPF4LIFE]

Absolutely no question. From the perspective of winning,  we need to atleast win more games than last year, i won't say guaranteed need to make playoffs tho....and that's being generous. Cam had us in the playoffs by his 3rd year with way worse around him. 

This is the best combination of o line, rb and wr core panthers have ever assembled. It's on bryce now. There's no excuses, he gotta produce. I expect atleast top 10-15 in qb statistics for the whole year...not a couple games. That is not asking too much at all.

 

 

Edited April 27, 2025 by CPF4LIFE

[ForJimmy]

1 hour ago, 45catfan said:

Yes, at least we should.  This his contract year 'in theory.'  This next QB class is too loaded to pass up a guy up that we are lukewarm on. I say we (as the fans) because the Teppers and front office love the guy.  The Panthers missed out on the 2024 QB bonanza because we could sit patiently one more season and if we don't make the playoffs this year (at least be in the hunt deep into December) then it will be time to move on for someone in a QB class that will be nearly as loaded as that 2024 one.

 

Who you liking in 26’s class? Nico hurt himself, Manning is a question mark, LaNorris looks legit…

[thennek]

It was encouraging that Bryce was benched last year when he was not getting it done. This gave me hope that Canales and Morgan have the stones to do the right thing about him going forward. If he does not progress this season the Panthers should look to draft a new QB in the 2026 draft. I really hope BY is the answer. He has no excuses this year. 

[SmokinwithWilly]

Bryce has to show significant improvement, even if we don't win. I don't understand not bringing in competition at the QB position. Dalton is not the answer if Bryce gets injured. We should always be trying to improve the QB room. There are multiple examples of backups that ended up being better than the starter following an injury.

I don't think that this team is going to magically turn around with one of the worst defenses in the NFL returning, but with new faces. 

The things I need to see.

1. Quick progressions and decisions for getting rid of the ball, whether that's to a receiver or sidelines. 

2. Multiple long sustained drives every game

3. Confidence. We need that swag back. He was showing it at the end of the season. We need a full season of that.

4. Less fumbles. He can't cough it up when someone gets to him. 

5. IT. Some QBs have it, some don't. You know it when you see it. 

6. More game winning drives where BY is the one leading it and doing it. I don't consider handing the ball off 3 times and kicking a FG a game winning drive for Bryce. I need to see him put the team on his back like Cam used to do. 

If we don't see several of those things, I think we have to consider moving on. Can't offer BY starter money and a huge chunk of the cap if he's JAG. 

[LinvilleGorge]

14 minutes ago, Mistuh Jones said:

Look, we've all got PTSD. But I truly think we're watching the beginning of the ascent for our boys in black and blue

I sure hope so. Post-2017 has been a rough ride. People tend to forget that we had an 11 win season two years after the SB loss, but after that it's been a suffer fest for sure.

[BEASTfromdaEAST]

I've been wanting to move on as soon as we drafted him so.....YES we better move one of he craps the bed 

[flagfootballcoach28]

I’d rather just keep the good vibes rolling and not think about Bryce not working out. 

[Jon Snow]

That will depend on many things like the options available at the time. He will be here for year 4 I'm certain of that, baring a return to his 1st year form. So this talk is too premature to consider at this point. If you want to assume the worst then you better have a great plan come next offseason. 

[tukafan21]

39 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

Bryce has to show significant improvement, even if we don't win. I don't understand not bringing in competition at the QB position. Dalton is not the answer if Bryce gets injured. We should always be trying to improve the QB room. There are multiple examples of backups that ended up being better than the starter following an injury.

I don't think that this team is going to magically turn around with one of the worst defenses in the NFL returning, but with new faces. 

The things I need to see.

1. Quick progressions and decisions for getting rid of the ball, whether that's to a receiver or sidelines. 

2. Multiple long sustained drives every game

3. Confidence. We need that swag back. He was showing it at the end of the season. We need a full season of that.

4. Less fumbles. He can't cough it up when someone gets to him. 

5. IT. Some QBs have it, some don't. You know it when you see it. 

6. More game winning drives where BY is the one leading it and doing it. I don't consider handing the ball off 3 times and kicking a FG a game winning drive for Bryce. I need to see him put the team on his back like Cam used to do. 

If we don't see several of those things, I think we have to consider moving on. Can't offer BY starter money and a huge chunk of the cap if he's JAG. 

Why we didn't bring in legit competition for Bryce is actually VERY simple.

IF... Bryce isn't the guy, we have to replace him next year and whoever we brought in as that legitimate competition wasn't going to be the long term solution either (it would have been like a Wilson, Jameis, Cousins, etc type).

IF... Bryce sucks this year, benching him for one of those guys isn't going to make us contenders, but it's also going to keep us from having a high draft pick to replace Bryce with.

So you ride with Bryce, he either sinks or swims, but either way, it sets us up for the future.  If he swims it's Bryce, if he sinks it's a new draft pick.  But having someone like Wilson lead us to a 8-9 record and the 15th pick in the draft would keep us in QB purgatory.