From The Fan Next Door
The Blog
65 articles of Panthers, NC State, and Orioles analysis — game previews, film breakdowns, and takes from The Fan Next Door.
PanthersPanthers Preseason Thoughts: Ugly, But Ugly for a Reason?
The Panthers "played" in a game on Saturday, and I use that term loosely. Here are some thoughts from this pointless preseason contest. And as an aside: why in the world do they play three of these things? A lot of starters sat out,…
PanthersHead Scratching
The Panthers went out and signed Darren Waller on Wednesday. Why? I have no clue. In 2020, he caught 107 passes. That number dropped to 55, then 28, then 52 — followed by retirement. Last year, after unretiring, he caught 24. I get that…
PanthersLooking Into the Future
My personal excitement level is starting to hit full gear. Normally it happens earlier than this, but the older I get, the more it seems delayed. But when thinking about the team this year, I couldn't help but think about the team next…
PanthersPanthers Preseason Kicks Off
Well, the season started last night for the Panthers. I used to be the kind of fan who could sit through all four preseason games (back when there were four) and watch every minute. Last night, the best I could manage was a half. Right off…
PanthersA Pessimistic Perspective
It is hard for me to feel optimistic about the upcoming Panthers season. I am pessimistic about my sports teams to begin with, and when I look at the circumstances surrounding this team, it is enough to put you into a depression. As we…
OriolesO’s Woes
The Orioles made the biggest move of their season this week, and while it was wildly unpopular with much of the fanbase, I think it was the right one. On Monday, Baltimore traded Adley Rutschman to the Red Sox for a package of prospects.…
PanthersBryce as Nice
Video surfaced yesterday showing a visibly frustrated Bryce Young on the practice field, apparently unhappy with the effort from his wide receivers, whether that was one guy, a few, or the whole room, it doesn't matter. Predictably, some…
PanthersDepth Drought?
After scanning the current Panthers roster and projecting out the depth chart, things are largely looking encouraging for Carolina. The front office did solid work in both free agency and the draft, and the team appears to be trending in…
PanthersDraft Details
From Thursday night through Saturday, the Carolina Panthers' front office did exactly what it needed to do. They strengthened the back end of the roster, added depth for 2026, and laid the foundation for a core that should be competing at…
PanthersUncertainty is Good
The NFL Draft is just over two weeks away, and the Carolina Panthers’ options are clear as mud. Oddly enough, that is a very good thing. For years, Panthers fans have become far too familiar with the early portion of the draft board.…
NC StateIn Dire Need of Loyalty
Losing Will Wade is a gut punch for NC State. I thought he had the mentality and edge to win here at a higher and more consistent level than State has seen in a long time. He felt like the kind of coach who understood what it takes to…
PanthersDepth in the Draft: Panthers Next Developments
The Carolina Panthers appear to be in a strong position to improve their roster heading into the upcoming draft. After watching several playoff teams last season, particularly the Los Angeles Rams, it became clear just how important depth…
PanthersFree Agency Check-In
The Carolina Panthers certainly made a big splash in free agency. The deal for Devin Lloyd appears to be a fairly even one for both the player and the team. Lloyd brings talent and versatility to the defense, and the contract feels…
PanthersBig Money Bet
I have to admit it, the first free agent signing by the Carolina Panthers is something the majority of fans are probably going to like, but I just do not like it. Jaelan Phillips is reportedly set to receive a four year, $120 million…
PanthersAir it out
The biggest cloud hanging over the Carolina Panthers right now is not Bryce Young’s heart, toughness, or leadership. It is his contract situation. There is a case to be made either way, but now is not the time to extend him. Young still…
PanthersDraft Outlook
With the NFL Combine in full swing, it is the perfect time to zoom out and take a comprehensive look at where the Carolina Panthers could pivot with the No. 19 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Less than two months out, the board is still…
PanthersSafety Struggles
The Carolina Panthers will enter the season in need of a "centerfield" type safety. After spending big and getting it right on Tre'Von Moehrig last year, and drafting Lathan Ransom in the fourth round, the Panthers appear to have some…
PanthersIn The Corner
On the surface, the Carolina Panthers appear set at cornerback heading into the 2026 season. They don't have a ton of depth or a sure thing at nickel, but Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson are a top-10 duo in the league. Even so, expanding the…
PanthersGrow from Within
The Carolina Panthers need a pass rusher. I’m not denying that. I just don’t think it’s as dire as a lot of fans make it out to be. It’s still hard to believe the organization let Brian Burns go for next to nothing in compensation.…
PanthersMiddle of The Road
Perhaps one of the most intriguing storylines of the Panthers’ offseason is the middle linebacker position. I’ve said time and time again that I’m not a fan of the 3–4 defense. But as long as David Tepper owns this team, it appears he will…
PanthersA Defensive Stance
The Carolina Panthers showed significant improvement on defense this year, and much of that progress can be credited to the return of Derrick Brown. Last offseason, the front office clearly prioritized the defensive line, spending heavily…
PanthersPressure Up the Middle: Diagnosing the Panthers’ O-Line Issues
I’m not trying to continue the negativity surrounding the Carolina Panthers, but things clearly became more complicated with Ikem Ekwonu’s injury during the playoff loss. That injury leaves the offensive line in flux heading into 2026 and…
PanthersOff Season Upgrades
The Carolina Panthers have never truly filled the void Greg Olsen left several years ago. To be honest, they have never really tried, at least not by investing a premium draft pick at the position. The organization has historically been…
PanthersWide World of Wide Receivers
The Panthers’ wide receiver room is heading into the 2026 season with what should be a solid foundation, though it’s far from ideal. The emergence of rookie Tetairoa “T Mac” McMillan gives the group a legitimate building block, and it…
PanthersRunning into Unknowns
The Carolina Panthers’ running back situation is far trickier than it appears and in many ways it is entirely self inflicted. Chuba Hubbard is expected to resume his role as the clear number one back in 2026, but it remains to be seen…
PanthersThe Bryce is Right?
The Carolina Panthers have a bigger problem at quarterback than many care to admit. To his credit, General Manager Dan Morgan said the right thing this week, but more on that in a moment. Bryce Young is far from a lock to be the Panthers…
PanthersWhat’s Next?
The Carolina Panthers’ season ended Saturday with a near-upset of a Super Bowl favorite. Early on, things looked bleak, but the Panthers stormed back, took the lead, and ultimately fell just short. While the final result was disappointing,…
PanthersPlayoff Prediction: Rams at Panthers
By most measures, this season has been a success. Yes, a winning record would have been nice. Yes, Bryce taking a bigger step forward would be more reassuring for the long-term future. But this organization needed this season. There is…
PanthersPrediction: Panthers at Bucs
It all comes down to this afternoon. The Panthers head to Tampa with just about everything on the line, though they do have tomorrow’s insurance policy, one they are hoping not to cash. This is a tough spot. Beating a divisional opponent…
PanthersPrediction: Seahawks at Carolina
No matter what happens over the next two weeks, this season should be viewed as a success for the Carolina Panthers, or at least a sign that the organization is moving in the right direction. That said, I’m still not convinced they have…
PanthersPrediction: Bucs at Panthers
The Panthers have a real opportunity to do something meaningful tomorrow. They can respond to last week’s loss, steady themselves, and once again take control of their own fate. For a young team searching for consistency, this is exactly…
PanthersCoaching, Not Talent, Cost the Panthers on Sunday
Sunday’s game against the Saints should not have shocked anyone who has watched this team all season. What was shocking was Ejiro Evero’s outright refusal to adjust defensively at the end of the game, and even more surprising was Dave…
PanthersPrediction: Panthers at Saints
The Panthers travel to New Orleans with a lot on the line. Tampa Bay has dropped its second straight game to this same Saints team the Panthers face on Sunday and then unexpectedly lost again in the Thursday night matchup against the…
PanthersPrediction: Rams at Panthers
After the uninspired, poor performance game on Monday that included a boat load of injuries and a suspension, the Panthers limp into the final game before the bye week. On another note, all teams’ bye weeks should be between weeks 7…
PanthersPrediction: Panthers at atlanta
The Panthers managed to do the unthinkable after the emotional high of the win over the Packers. They stumbled against a 1-8 team led by a rookie quarterback making just his second career start. That loss felt like a season killer. Now…
PanthersShitshow.
The Panthers completely fell apart. Major questions need to be raised about Bryce Young’s ability to lead a productive offense. He looked awful, and let’s be honest, even in that big win at Green Bay, he wasn’t good there either. The…
PanthersPrediction: Saints at Panthers
I hate to do this because no matter how I feel, I always predict a Panthers loss. But this week feels different. This team has no choice but to go out on Sunday and win, and win big. The Saints are bad, and the Panthers, at home, are…
PanthersPrediction: Panthers at Packers
I thought last week’s game against Buffalo would be a close loss, I was wrong. I also figured this week’s matchup with the Packers would look a lot like what we saw last week: a blowout. But I’ve changed my mind. This is a tough game…
PanthersBest Player Philosophy.
It’s starting to feel like Dave Canales is playing favorites instead of simply playing his best players. After a few weeks where Rico Dowdle has clearly looked like the more explosive and effective runner, Canales seems determined to force…
PanthersTakeaway from another(!!) Panthers win
That was a solid, not spectacular win for the Panthers. More thoughts to come, but the early takeaway is clear: Rico needs the bulk of the carries. He’s explosive and a consistent chain mover. Chuba has a role, but right now the…
PanthersTrap Game Prediction: Jets v. Panthers
I’m a pessimist by nature, and the last two weeks have gone a little too well for this Panthers team. That usually means trouble is coming. This feels like one of those games where things could get ugly. The Jets will finally find success…
PanthersBeing Stubborn Pays Off.
The Carolina Panthers are finally doing what Head Coach Dave Canales has preached since his arrival in early 2024, running the football with determination. His insistence on being “stubborn” with the ground game is finally taking hold.…
PanthersAre the Panthers…Decent?
Yesterday was a huge win. The Panthers played well in all phases, aside from the McMillan interception. This victory was the result of what Dave Canales preached early on but didn’t fully commit to at first, a stubbornness to run the…
PanthersThat Winning Feeling? Prediction for Panthers/Cowboys
It’s amazing how much better a Monday feels after a Panthers win. Even though that game should never have been as close as it was, the Panthers, Bryce in particular, seemed to shoot themselves in the foot right out of the gate. They’re…
PanthersPrediction: September 28th
Solid performance last week from the Panthers. I’m 0-3 with my predictions so far, so in an effort to will them to another win, I’ll take the Patriots 21-20. The run defense will be key, and if Chuba has a big day on the ground, it could…
PanthersFalse Spring?
Renewed Hope or False Spring? Given the last seven years, it’s both easy to get excited for any signs of hope for improvement. But, it’s also fair for anyone to wonder if the Atlanta game was an aberration, which we’ve seen on occasion in…
PanthersHappy To Be Wrong.
The Panthers shocked everyone yesterday, myself included, after I predicted they would lose 27 to 17. I’ve got to hand it to them, they looked sharp in every aspect of the game. Bryce wasn’t asked to do much, but sometimes that’s exactly…
PanthersPrediction For Falcons at Panthers
27-17 Falcons I’ve got Atlanta coming out on top, 27 to 17. I don’t see the Panthers being able to contain Bijan Robinson, and I’ll go ahead and pencil him in for over 110 yards on the ground. I also think Kyle Pitts finally gets some…
PanthersMoral Victories Are Still Losses
I am not happy with a close loss or an “impressive” stat line. Mark Twain was right about stats, and Bryce’s numbers are meaningless when they’re manufactured while the team is down three scores. They only got back in the game against a…
PanthersDo Or Die.
I don’t think it’s an overstatement to call Sunday’s game in Arizona a must win. History shows that falling to 0 to 2 makes the playoffs nearly impossible, and let’s be honest, no one really believes this Panthers team is built for more…
PanthersThe Blame Game
The Carolina Panthers have so many problems it’s hard to know where to start. The team that took the field Sunday looks almost identical to last year’s squad, just with a few new faces on defense. It’s easy to point at David Tepper, who is…
PanthersA Defensive Posture
For the third straight year, the Panthers’ run defense is a disaster. Ejiro Evero is back yet again, likely because David Tepper is tired of paying coaches not to coach. Does Evero need to go? Yes. Would firing him now make a difference?…
PanthersLessons Not Learned
This organization is lost and soulless. It starts at the very top with a buffoon owner who always gets in the way, dictating schemes simply because that’s what Pittsburgh runs. The coaching staff is either too green or too incompetent to…
PanthersCause for concern
Preseason Game at Houston. If you’re a Panthers fan and not concerned, it’s time to wake up. NFL teams can’t just flip a switch when the season starts. The coaching staff pulled the plug too early. Head Coach Dave Canales should have kept…
PanthersRookies report
Rookies Report to Training Camp: Day One
PanthersRoster Revolution?
How will the Panthers capitalize on draft picks in 2025?
PanthersClawing for Talent: Mock Drafts and Long Term STrategy
Jalon Walker from Georgia. Mock drafts are a lot of fun for fans, especially during the long offseason. They become even more exciting after the Super Bowl when the official draft order is set. However, they hold little value before free…
PanthersMove Myles?
Myles Garrett. Myles Garrett wants to be released. He feels his time in Cleveland has run its course—one of the NFL’s wastelands, potentially worse than Carolina. Meanwhile, the Panthers desperately need stars on defense to pair with…
PanthersRisking with Rookies
Two major questions loom over the Panthers offensive line this offseason: what to do with Taylor Moton’s contract and how to find stability at center. The Moton contract situation is particularly interesting because the team appears to be…
PanthersA Quick Fix for the Panthers Defensive issues
Panthers defense in 2022. David Tepper has received credit for stepping out of the limelight over the past year. However, his decision to push Ron Rivera into adopting the 3-4 defense has proven to be a lasting mistake. Tepper’s…
PanthersThe shifty route
Adam Thielen. The Panthers will likely be seeking wide receiver help during the offseason. While Tee Higgins is a name often mentioned, he may be too expensive. Personally, I've never been a fan of spending big money in free agency. It…
PanthersThe Lost Generation
Kansas City Chiefs at Carolina Panthers, 2024. As you can see from the crowd, there is an array of red in the Panthers’ stadium. The Lost Generation Building a fanbase for the Carolina Panthers was never going to be easy. By the time 1995…
PanthersAn ickey dilemma
What should the Panthers do with Ikem Ekwonu? Steven Webb dives in.
PanthersBryce Young: Boom or bust?
There was a lot of talk this season about whether Bryce Young was a good fit. This blog digs in on Young’s pros and cons.
PanthersPanthers’ Problems: Progress, pitfalls and the path forward
It’s the end of the season. How did we get here? Where will we go? Steven Webb digs in.