Carolina is One Move Away From Being a Contender in the NFC

The Panthers could be a team that turns heads in 2023.

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer March 2022:

"Our whole goal is to win the NFC South every year. We want to compete every year. I think we're two steps closer this year, not just one step. With all the guys we brought in, I think we're right there if we can get the quarterback position stabilized, we're going to be competing for it. Ideally, if you have a young guy that you can drop in there, that's the most cost efficient way to do it. Surround him with veteran talent."

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer January 2023:

"I think you've got to have conviction. If there's a guy in this class that you like, you got to go up and go get him. We're in a position now where we have a defense, we have an offensive line. We built around this for this opportunity. So if you have conviction, go get him. If not, you don't want to force it. You don't want to take a player and pass on a really good player, that might set you back. But you can't be afraid to take a shot if you believe that's the guy."

The quarterback position has been a tough puzzle for Carolina to solve since they initially moved off of Cam Newton following the 2019 season. Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker, Cam (again), and Baker Mayfield all had their shot at being the guy. They also drafted Matt Corral in the third round of last year's draft, but he missed the entire regular season with a Lisfranc injury. What the team opts to do with him is unknown at this point in time.

As we inch closer to the 2023 NFL Draft, you'll begin to hear rumors of Carolina wanting to trade up to better position themselves to take a quarterback. You may also hear trade rumors involving Derek Carr or free agency rumors involving Jimmy Garoppolo. Needless to say, it's going to be chaotic offseason as the Panthers try to find the solution to the most important position on the field. 

When you look at this roster, the coaching staff that Frank Reich is forming, and the rest of the NFC South, it's not a stretch to believe that Carolina could run the division for years to come. Tampa Bay has to replace Tom Brady, the Falcons are a mess, and the Saints have a few high level players but not much else, including quarterback. 

As seen above, we've heard Fitterer mention the idea of building this thing with a young quarterback. He's passed on Justin Fields, Mac Jones, and Kenny Pickett to address the cornerback (Jaycee Horn) and left tackle (Ikem Ekwonu) positions. They've done a terrific job of building this roster through the draft and making a few free agent signings to put the team in a position where they can "drop in" a quarterback and take off. 

Is this the year Fitterer finally "takes a shot" at a quarterback in the draft? It sure feels like it. 

Fitterer and Reich each know the importance of solving that position as both have spent an enormous amount of time trying to find one over the last few years.

"You've got to have stability at quarterback," said Reich at his introductory press conference. "The good that I've learned in my past experience is we've learned how to adapt to different styles of quarterbacks, but that's not the ideal situation. We - Mr. Tepper, Scott [Fitterer], myself have to commit to what's our blueprint? How are we going to maintain stability at quarterback? Make a plan and then execute that plan."

If they execute that plan, there will be a path for the Panthers to make it to a Super Bowl within the next handful of years. They'll be able to continue to build the roster around a QB on a rookie contract and aside from the 49ers and Eagles, there aren't many teams in the NFC that will have a more talented roster than Carolina will have with a franchise QB.

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