With a 1-8 start this season, the Carolina Panthers‘ season is not going to plan. The team traded significant assets to move up and acquire quarterback Bryce Young at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he has been widely overshadowed by C.J. Stroud, who was selected second by the Houston Texans.
While it’s too soon to completely give up on Young, the team has struggled greatly, and recent reports suggest that head coach Frank Reich’s job may be in jeopardy.
Panthers’ Frank Reich Has ‘Hottest Seat’ in NFL
NFL insider Jay Glazer named the head coach most likely to be fired this season on Fox NFL Sunday.
“If I’m going to be taken down here, I’m going to go down swinging my way,” Glazer said when talking about Reich taking back play-calling duties. “But without a doubt here, Frank Reich has the hottest seat in the league.”
Carolina traded wide receiver DJ Moore and its first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears to move up to No. 1 in the 2023 draft. That 2024 pick is currently projected to be the No. 1 overall pick due to the Panthers’ current record.
Young is partially struggling due to a lack of offensive weapons, such as Moore. While the Panthers do lack talent, the team is struggling to get anything going this season.
Last year, the Panthers fired Matt Rhule after a 1-4 start. After the disastrous start to this season, many are left wondering if David Tepper will make a change at the head coach position.
Young has failed to develop as a quarterback thus far this season, and while he could still have a chance to turn things around, Shroud has outshone him as the better rookie QB.
This season, Young has completed 62.8% of his pass attempts for 1,560 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The former Heisman winner currently sits last in yards per attempt at just 5.4.
MORE: Why Did the Panthers Draft Bryce Young Over C.J. Stroud?
Meanwhile, Stroud has completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,626 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. He is leading the Texans to a surprisingly successful season and a chase for a playoff spot.
The Panthers are in their sixth consecutive losing season, and not having a first-round pick in this year’s draft makes things even harder for the team going forward.
Additionally, Reich recently reclaimed play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown — the second change in the last month. Brown discussed the change at a press conference after it was announced.
“This is a grown man’s business, and I’m handle this the same way I will every situation moving forward — and that’s as a grown man,” Brown said.
“The overall product offensively has not been good enough all year … I’m sure there’ll be a bunch of questions. It’s not about me, not about Frank. I have a job to do, I’m committed to that job, always been committed to that job. And the focus is on trying to help our team by being in the best spot to win football games.”
Whether it was under Brown or Reich, Carolina’s offense has been one of the worst in the NFL. They’ve averaged the third-fewest yards per game (275.6) and the fourth-fewest points per game (17.0).
NFL insider and analyst Jason La Canfora noted that there is a strong sense Reich will become a one-and-done. He added that the belief is jobs are on the line going into the season’s second half.
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