The Carolina Panthers exceeded fan expectations, doubling Bryce Young’s career-high season win total and addressing an impressive offensive line injury situation, all with one week left in the 2025 season. Yes, this season we hope the questions regarding Young’s ability to play in the NFL are now properly and positively addressed. Yes, second-year head coach Dave Canales has shown a less-than-perfect ability to manage and call plays in high-leverage moments. But that’s all there is to dissect this offseason.
Today, the Panthers still have a chance to make the playoffs. They have a chance to finish the season with a winning record. Maybe they missed out on a chance to win ten games this season, but it was always a pie-in-the-sky joke. This team at least had a decent offseason and likely upgraded at the quarterback position, no longer really threatening anyone. But now they’re scrappy and in an interesting position heading into the end of the season, even if what they do on the field every week isn’t always entertaining.
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That’s it. Every roller coaster has an end. Whether we climb that last hill or continue our slide into the offseason, it will all be over soon. Let’s enjoy being on top of the NFC South for the second straight week. Let’s enjoy January’s big games (!) for the first time in forever. The offseason is long, and let’s not get bogged down in the agony of debating draft position and free agent options when we have realistic dreams of a home playoff game. This is currently expected to be a redemption game against the 49ers. Normally we say don’t look forward, but that’s for the players. We can enjoy this thin air as much as we want because it won’t last long. But it’s the first time in eight years, so take a deep breath and hold it — figuratively speaking, please — until Sunday.