Cat Scratch Reader
They’re not there yet, but steps are being made in the right direction
NFL media superstar Daniel Jeremiah has shared his checklist for building a championship foundation in the modern game several times since he’s had a platform. According to Jeremiah, the checklist for a championship caliber roster is as follows:
Around this time of year in 2024, following the dismal 2023 season and the new brain trust set to lead the franchise, we evaluated where the Carolina Panthers roster based on Jeremiah’s wisdom. The results were... not great. The only item on the checklist that could conceivably be checked off was 3 quality offensive lineman. Any thing else could only be the result of blind optimism, at least in my opinion. While I always appreciate a little optimism, for the purpose of this exercise being disingenuous will only set you up for failure.
With that said, let’s take an objective look at where we stand one more year into the newest era of Panthers football.
Two things can be true: 1) Bryce Young had a phenomenal end to his 2024 season and 2) it’s still not enough to count him as a franchise quarterback. There’s no doubt a step was made in the right direction once Young and Canales hit their stride after Young’s return to the starting line-up after Andy Dalton’s car accident. If they continue that trajectory in their second year together, the verdict here should flip.
The Panthers made some heavy investments in offensive playmakers prior to the 2024 season and the jury is still out on most of them. Diontae Johnson flamed out spectacularly, but on the other hand Chuba Hubbard really came into his own as the Panthers lead back. Xavier Legette has the potential but is not there yet while Jonathan Brooks’ ACL re-tear of his ACL really put a damper on his long-term viability. If Tetairoa McMillan can have a rookie season that proves he was worth the top 10 selection, he’ll definitely apply but can’t count those chickens before they hatch. I love the flashes we saw from Ja’Tavion Sanders, but the production is not there yet either.
The veteran options are interesting and I’m tempted to count both Rico Dowdle and Adam Thielen. Thielen proved to me that he isn’t to old to be a playmaker so I’ll give the elder statesman an approving nod as he heads into what is likely his last season. I won’t argue if you wanted to count Dowdle, but a back-up running back on a one year deal feels more like insurance for Hubbard than a playmaker all on his own.
For those counting, that’s two playmakers: Hubbard and Thielen - then a...
