The Carolina Panthers already have enough to worry about. A new coaching staff is trying to get situated after the organization cleaned house this off-season. A rookie quarterback will be their starter after the blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears for the #1 pick. His array of weapons looks thinner than preferred, and the offensive line struggled in pass protection throughout the preseason. One solace the Panthers had going into 2023 was their defense. It’s talented at all three levels, and they just added a proven coordinator in Ejiro Evero. The team could lean on them to keep things afloat until Bryce Young gains some experience.
Even that plan is on shaky ground now. Reports have surfaced that defensive end Brian Burns was a no-show to the team’s first practice this week. Head coach Frank Reich called it a personal matter. Most believe this is due to Burns’ lack of a contract extension. He will be a free agent in 2024. After posting 12.5 sacks and making his second Pro Bowl last season, it isn’t a surprise he wants to get paid. What makes it worse is Carolina already declined a lucrative trade offer for him earlier in the off-season. So, whatever leverage they had is long gone.
This Panthers fiasco benefits the Chicago Bears.
Remember, Chicago owns their 1st round pick in the 2024 draft. Every game the Panthers lose means that pick goes higher and higher. Their first six games this season will be against quarterbacks like Derek Carr, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, and Tua Tagovailoa. All of them know how to score points, and all are armed with plenty of weapons to do so. It’s hard enough stopping them with a complete defensive squad. If Carolina doesn’t have their best pass rusher, things get problematic in a hurry.
It isn’t crazy to think they could start this season 0-6 if they aren’t careful. There is little margin for error with the Panthers. If they reach ten losses this season, it’s a virtual lock the Chicago Bears will end up with a top 10 pick. That would be icing on the cake of a trade that already landed them a stud receiver in D.J. Moore. Lastly, the possibility remains open that Carolina will trade Burns after all. In such a case, Chicago can pounce on that too. They have the ammunition in both draft capital and money to make it happen.
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