Carolina entered Week 6 showing clear signs that a change might be ahead. The Panthers ranked 26th in average passing expected points added and 25th in average rushing EPA, per Next Gen Stats. Their per-game averages in passing and rushing yards weren’t much better, ranking 23rd and 22nd, respectively.
The Panthers showed signs of improvement early Sunday against the Dolphins, putting together two impressive touchdown drives in the first quarter, but that was it. Carolina returned to its lackluster form in the second quarter, failing to score another point offensively for the rest of the day in a 42-21 loss.
Sunday’s loss dropped the Panthers to 0-6, marking just the second time Carolina has started 0-6 in franchise history and the first time since 1998. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young became the seventh quarterback drafted first overall to start his career 0-5 since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, which isn’t necessarily a harbinger of a doomed future, considering he joined a group that included the likes of Troy Aikman, Jared Goff, Alex Smith, Eli Manning and Trevor Lawrence.
Situation matters for young quarterbacks, and this is no different for Young. In a results-driven league, though, change is often necessary when teams approach their lowest points. Reich is making one by giving up control of the offense with the hope it will spark a turnaround.
2023-10-16 17:59:00
#Panthers #coach #Frank #Reich #hands #playcalling #duties #offensive #coordinator #Thomas #Brown
