Initial Thoughts on Panthers' Loss to Lions

Thoughts following today's Panthers game.

Carolina (0-4) hit the road in Week 5 to try and right the ship against the surging Lions (3-1). 

While the Panthers were able to play spoiler to Detroit's Cinderella-like playoff hopes late last season, Dan Campbell's squad came back with a vengeance this season on their way to a 42-24 blowout of the Panthers.

Here are some observations from the game:

Bryce Young is improving every week, I promise!

With fellow rookie quarterbacks C.J. Stroud & Anthony Richardson off to faster success in their careers, it has been easy to pounce on Bryce Young's slower start with critiques and worries.

It makes sense - the Panthers gave up a lot of capital to have their pick of the litter amongst the three signal callers. Obviously, the goal here is to make the most of the opportunity.

On the other hand, though, it has been roughly a quarter of a single season with an entirely new coaching staff. Some things just take time!

Young has improved on the field every week so far with a supporting cast that is doing him few favors. His decisions are getting more confident with every snap he plays. That poise that was raved about during the off-season is becoming more visible as time goes on. The talent is obviously there.

The passing yards have increased in each of Young's four starts. The rookie had his first multi-touchdown day with three today. 

Don't let a couple of turnovers, some lost plays, or the success of his peers sway you so soon. Bryce Young is showing the makings of a player who will have a place in this league for a long time. 

The wins might not arrive often in 2023, but the ship is sailing in the right direction on the quarterback front.

What does success look like for the rest of the season?

Success is something that can be achieved by any team at any time - regardless of record. 

The Panthers may have entered this season "a quarterback away" in theory, but that is no longer reality. The Panthers are 0-5, are decimated by injuries, lack consistent offensive weapons to support their rookie QB outside of Adam Thielen, and have no incentive to lose since their first-round pick in 2024 is owned by the Chicago Bears.

The road ahead is not easy.

Does that mean that there is no way to find success this season other than a miraculous playoff push? Absolutely not. 

Successful franchises are rarely built on the back of a single draft pick, a single class of free agents, or even a single season's win-loss record.

Much more frequently, successful franchises are built through finding identity and culture, building rapport, and creating opportunities for the franchise's stars to make the impact that they are able to.

Practice effort. Consistent execution. Developing strengths. Developing players. Experimenting with limits. Creating a "why" for the players, the staff, and the fans alike.

Those things don't just happen by accident. In order to achieve them, they must be intentionally pursued.

The Panthers will need to hone in on that mindset if this season is to have meaning.  Measuring success in 2023 is no longer going to come through wins and losses. It will be up to Frank Reich and company to choose a direction, figure out how to a plan of action, and then seize the opportunity to achieve that success.

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