The Carolina Panthers made some bold moves in the offseason, headlined by the blockbuster trade completed with the Chicago Bears to land the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, to get the franchise back on track. But, everything that could be going wrong for the franchise thus far this season seemingly has.
It is still extremely early and no definitives can be made, but the Panthers certainly don’t look like they made the correct choice when it comes to the quarterback to select. Bryce Young has been so-so through four games, as he missed one because of ankle injuries.
It has to be tough watching No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud set records with the Houston Texans, who look well on their way to climbing out of the league doldrums. At 2-3, the Texans are a very competitive team under new head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Panthers are under a new regime as well, led by Frank Reich. The former Indianapolis Colts head coach took over for Matt Rhule and through five games, that looks to be a decision the franchise got wrong as well.
Reich and the Panthers were lambasted by a former NFL executive who spoke to NFL Analysis Network. The executive certainly isn’t shocked at the middling results Carolina has produced to this point and they see no reason for optimism.
“Did anyone truly believe hiring Frank Reich was the right move for Carolina? He was horrible in Indianapolis. Why they gave him the job is beyond me and you’re seeing why.”
That is certainly some harsh criticism from the former executive. Reich, by most accounts, did a solid job with the Colts given the quarterback situation he had to deal with. Andrew Luck’s unexpected retirement ahead of the 2019 season left the franchise high and dry at the position, but he still oversaw two playoff appearances and had three winning seasons out of the first four he led the team in.
But, the wheels fell all the way off in 2022, which led to his dismal. Not finding a quarterback is what ultimately doomed his tenure. With the Panthers, they made a huge move to find that long-term answer under center, but in the opinion of the executive, Reich wasn’t the right man for the job.
