The Carolina Panthers needed better wide receiver play in 2024, following a year in which the unit ranked among the worst in the NFL. The Panthers successfully improved as Adam Thielen continued to demonstrate his youth after more than a decade in the league; two rookies—Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker—showed promise, and David Moore had his best season in several years. While the Panthers saw those players perform, they missed out on Diontae Johnson as their potential number one receiver. Julian Council reflects on the season that was for the Panthers' wide receiver unit.

The Panthers certainly have a stronger wide receiver roster heading into the 2025 offseason than they did in 2024, but do they have a true No. 1 receiver? Will the Panthers look to add one this offseason, especially since Tee Higgins is set to be a free agent? Could a trade for Garrett Wilson be a possibility?

How will the Panthers approach the position in free agency? Is David Moore likely to re-sign? Will the Panthers choose to be frugal rather than spend big at the position?

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In this week's NFL Squad, the crew discusses whether or not the AFC or NFC has the best shot at winning Super Bowl 59 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Plus they discuss the potential impact of Sam Darnold's upcoming free agency and which QB has the best shot at becoming a true rival for Patrick Mahomes.

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2024 was a standout year for Chuba Hubbard as he set career highs in rushing attempts (250) and rushing yards (1,195) while securing a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension, solidifying his status as a Top 10 RB in the NFL. While Hubbard's future is secure heading into the offseason, questions arise regarding Jonathon Brooks after he re-tore the ACL in his right knee after playing only three games in his rookie season. Julian Council reflects on the Carolina Panthers running backs' 2024 seasons.

One potential beneficiary of Brooks missing more time in 2025 is Miles Sanders, who has not met expectations during his two seasons in Carolina but has two years left on his contract. The Panthers might choose to cut Sanders to free up salary cap space, but would the team be better off bringing Sanders back on a restructured salary to serve as Hubbard's backup once again?

If Carolina decides to part ways with Sanders this offseason, what other veteran options might make sense for Dave Canales' offense?

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The 2024 season was a rollercoaster ride for the Carolina Panthers' quarterback position. The Panthers transitioned from benching Bryce Young to Dave Canales continuously supporting Andy Dalton, despite Dalton's performance declining and the team continuing to lose. Young eventually regained his starting role due to Dalton’s injury, claiming the position for the remainder of the year and solidifying himself as the starter for 2025. Julian Council reflects on how the Panthers' quarterbacks performed in 2024.

Andy Dalton is set to become a free agent and will turn 38 during the 2025 season. Should Dalton return for his third year behind Young, or should the Panthers consider a younger backup option? If Carolina decides to part ways with Dalton, who are the best available options on the open market in March?

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The Carolina Panthers are just over a month and a half away from the start of the 2025 NFL new league year. However, before they reach that date on March 13, when free agency officially begins, they will need to decide what to do with their 27 pending free agents. Who should stay, and who should go? Julian Council evaluates whether Andy Dalton should return as Bryce Young's backup at quarterback, which of the three players who started at center for Carolina this season will return, as well as how the free agent secondary and specialists will unfold.

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Bryce Young's performance in the second half of the 2024 regular season marked significant progress for the Carolina Panthers organization, and he is set to start again in 2025. According to Pro Football Focus, Young ranked as the sixth highest-graded quarterback in the NFL from Week 9 until the end of the regular season. Given how Young concluded the season and considering that most elite quarterback talent in the NFL comes from the AFC—such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow—can Young become a top 5 quarterback in the NFC by 2025?

Dan Morgan made two calculated risks during his first draft as the Panthers' GM. First, he leveraged his assets to trade into the first round to select Xavier Legette, despite the South Carolina star wide receiver having only one standout season on tape. Then, in the second round, Morgan traded up again to pick Jonathon Brooks, who was recovering from a torn ACL. Did Morgan make mistakes in drafting Legette and Brooks, or is it too early to draw any conclusions about each prospect?

The Panthers have maintained the same uniforms throughout their 30 years of existence. Will they finally make a change this offseason?

Julian Council addresses these questions, along with others from listeners, in the Weekly Friday Mailbag.

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Will Dave Canales end up being the head coach who gives a eulogy for David Tepper at his funeral? That was the hope of the Carolina Panthers owner when he set out to find a new leader for the franchise last January. After benching Bryce Young two weeks into the season and starting with a rocky 1-7 record, Canales and Young helped turn things around as the Panthers finished 4-5 in the second half of the season, signaling that things might finally be improving in Carolina.

Julian Council examines what Canales got right and wrong in his first season as the Panthers' head coach and whether Tepper has finally found the coach who will lead the franchise to sustained success.

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In this week's NFL Squad, the crew discusses this weekend's NFL Conference Championships in the AFC and NFC. Will the Buffalo Bills become the team of destiny and end the Kansas City Chiefs 'Villian' era? Can Jayden Daniels make history for the Washington Commanders against the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts? Plus, the crew reacts to the latest hires in the NFL coaching cycle and touches on which jobs that are still open are the most appealing or unappealing.

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