CHARLOTTE — Well, that was better than a lump of coal in the stocking.
Here's perhaps the most amazing thing about Sunday's overtime win against the Cardinals.
Not just that Chuba Hubbard delivered an incredible memory while erasing the overtime loss against the Bucs, or that Bryce Young flushed the four-turnover debacle against the Cowboys by playing another confident game, or that the defense made a stop when they needed it most.
No, the cool part was that people left happy, and that's saying something considering the ups and downs of the last two years in particular.
A year ago, when the Panthers finished their home schedule by losing a 9-0 clunker to the Buccaneers, it was hard to find much hope around a team that was under the leadership of a different interim coach for the second January in a row.
But now, even at 4-11, there's a distinctly different vibe around the team and the city. People like Bryce again. Fans were chanting "CHUBA, CHUBA," as they left Bank of America Stadium.
(And the fact Hubbard has that long vowel sound in his given name makes it easy to chant, a more upbeat version of HOOOOOOOOOOOOV from the Brad Hoover fans of a couple of decades ago, closer to the LLLLLUUUUUUUUKKKKKE that people used to yell at AJ Klein.)
Now, none of this matters if they don't build on this progress this offseason and next year. But after a fairly miserable end of last season, there's some genuine optimism around this team, and it's deserved. There are some significant issues with this team they have to fix, but there's a clear sense of a plan and a direction.
People have picked up on that. And even if the Panthers lose out, those games are in other places. The stadium was in a good mood for reasons that had nothing to do with mayonnaise or The Rolling Stones. And it's been a minute since that was true. As we say around here often, that's not everything, but it's not nothing either.
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What have I told you? THAT CAT CAN BALL!!! Please give him my regards. — Jeff, Concord, NC
Indeed, Chuba Hubbard can, in fact, ball.
One of the wild things about Hubbard is that for a guy whose career arc has been about steady progress, people are starting to realize where he is in the firmament of Panthers running back history (which is pretty good).
With 162 yards over the final two games, he'll pass DeShaun Foster (3,336) for fifth on the team's all-time rushing yards list, trailing Jonathan Stewart (7,318), DeAngelo Williams (6,846), Cam Newton (5,036), and Christian McCaffrey (3,980).
Hubbard's at 3,175 after his 152-yard outburst last week, which earned him NFC offensive player of the week honors.
With his first touchdown Sunday, he passed Stephen Davis (20) for fifth place on the team's all-time rushing touchdown list, and he now has 22. He trails only Newton (63), Stewart (51), Williams (46), and McCaffrey (32) on that one.
He's also fourth on the team's all-time list with seven 100-yard rushing games, tying Davis, Foster, and Tshimanga Biakabutuka. He trails Williams (18), Stewart (16), and McCaffrey (12) on that chart.
Throughout their history, the Panthers have been identified mainly by their defenses and their ability to run the ball. In every era, there was a guy they looked to to move the chains and control the clock.
And now, at this moment, Hubbard has become that guy. The trust they have in him is implicit, but after last week's game, all his teammates talked about it. It was as if the Buccaneer's loss never happened because they didn't view him in that way. They have a confidence in him because of what he's shown them day after day. The same way the mid-2010s Panthers were confident in short-yardage situations because of Stewart and Newton, the same way the early 2000s Panthers trusted an unproven Jake Delhomme because he had Davis behind him, there's a security that offers.
Usually, the face of the franchise is a quarterback or a middle linebacker. Here, at this moment when they're trying to build something, it's a Canadian running back. Also, Jeff passed along your catchphrase and well-wishes to Hubbard. He grinned and said, "Tell Jeff I said thanks."
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I think it's safe to say we have our franchise quarterback. There were concerns about his height and how it might affect his throwing lanes in the NFL. However, Bryce Young seems to excel at finding those pockets and delivering his passes beyond the line of scrimmage, performing at a level comparable to the best quarterbacks. How does he manage to navigate through those towering hog mollies and find those angles in the pocket so effortlessly? — Kevin, Middletown, DE
This is kind of hilarious because three months ago, the Mailbag wasn't convinced Young was an NFL quarterback at all. And now he's the future. It almost makes you want to not scream instantaneous hot takes and make every moment a referendum on forever. Or maybe that's just me; I'm old-fashioned.
Part of Young's ability to do that is by being extremely accurate. He knows where he wants the ball to go, which makes it easier to get it there. But you still have to throw it.
When people were evaluating Young for the first time coming out of Alabama, one of the things that stood out was his ability to make off-platform plays, the little sidearm throws, and the improvisational stuff. No one is comparing him to Patrick Mahomes, we're talking about those kinds of plays that the Chiefs quarterback seems to pull out of nowhere.
He has to continue to work on the regular stuff (the third-down attempt late to Dan Chisena is a throw he'd love to have back), but Young has that ability to improvise with his arm as well as his feet.
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Curious. Is Bryce Young the greatest comeback since Robert Johnson? Can we get the stadium guys to play "Crossroads" for him? That's the best explanation I have, he went down to the crossroads... Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and thanks for being here, brother. Keep Pounding! — Deric, Gastonia, NC
The former Bobcats owner? He came back? Will the documentary be shown on CSET alongside replays of the Charlotte Jumper Classic?
Oh, you meant the legendary blues guitarist, and I can say with certainty that usually only a millennial can offer that the Panthers quarterback has no idea who Robert Johnson is.
I have to remind myself sometimes that Young was born in 2001 because he carries himself like a guy who has a subscription to TV Guide. Last week, was talking with receivers coach Rob Moore (who played for the Cardinals when the movie Jerry McGuire was being filmed there in 1995), and Young walked by and made a joke to Moore. So naturally, I asked Young if he had seen the clips of his receivers coach in the movie. This is a transcript of the actual conversation that followed.
Young: (Quizzical look)
Old: "You've seen Jerry McGuire, right?"
Young: (Politely) "I'm sorry, I don't know what that is."
Old: (Quietly and dejectedly shakes his head)
Old: (Moments later, upon passing him again, with a tinge of disbelief) "Does the name Leigh Steinberg mean anything to you?"
Young: (Flash of recognition) "Oh yeah!"
Old: "That's what Jerry McGuire is about."
Young: "Oh, is that a sports movie?"
Old: (Quietly and dejectedly shakes his head)
Young: "Well, do you know Lizzie McGuire?"
Old: "Yes, Bryce, my kids watched her."
That's a story about Bryce Young talking to an old person, but it's also about a young man who is growing more and more comfortable in his own skin and his job. He tells jokes. He banters. He's an actual human being who is looking more and more at home in his current lot in life.
Last year wasn't much fun for Bryce Young or anyone around here. But he endured it. And even though the first two games of this year remain an unexplained phenomenon, he endured that, too. And now that he's back on the field, he's playing with an assuredness that comes with playing the long game.
The one thing I know for sure about Young is that he never freaked out and never went overboard. The steadiness with which he does his work, even when (or especially when) times are bad, is impressive. And now he's reaping the benefits of that approach.
Young has earned some trust around here by being trustworthy. That's not something you get in a deal with the devil; that's something you get by paying attention to details. One of Dave Canales' sayings is "do right longer," and it's about perseverance and being committed to the daily work. Bryce continues to do that. It's paying off. The work will continue.
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Do you remember what I said a few weeks ago where I said this team is really starting to remind me of the '03-15 teams? Yeah, that statement still stands! The guys looked amazing yesterday; they kept pushing and finished just like the coach wanted! I was very impressed with Bryce in terms of extending plays and really making those big-time small window passes.
I guess my question would really just be, what was your favorite play of the game, and how excited were you at the end there?! I was at work, so I had to quietly cheer to myself watching it on my phone, so I just want someone to get excited about it with! All my co-workers are Niners, Cardinals or Steelers fans so there was not much support here haha! — Chase, Troutman, NC
My excitement at the end of a game like that is different than other people's.
Writing Rapid Reactions (which we publish each week during that five minutes or so between the final second of the game and the coach's press conference) can be nerve-wracking at times. In the last few years, there were a lot of games whose stories were well-told by the middle of the third quarter, with some blanks to fill in, but the plotlines were clear. Now, all of a sudden, the Panthers are playing games that are contested in the final moments, and your boy has to work again. Writing on deadline is not for the meek of heart, but I grew up in the newspaper business back when newspapers were still a thing, so my heart's kind of cold and black anyway.
The play that will stand out in my mind was one of the next things I wrote after the locker room opened because it was a thing many of the players were talking about.
Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White came through clean and had a direct shot on Young. But because there was one more coming, there was one fewer in coverage, which meant somebody was open. Young had to know he had a guy in position to make a play, he just had less time to get it there.
But he took the shot to the chest, delivered a first-down ball to Tommy Tremble, and then popped up with a grin on his face.
(And if you look back at it, he was able to drill the ball into a spot just past a Cardinals defender who dropped into coverage. If that throw's not precise, it's picked off, and we're having a very different conversation.)
It worried people because, as you may have heard, Young is not a large man. But when Robert Hunt, who is a large man, got to him, there was a relief that "lifted" him seeing his quarterback down there grinning at him (and White). Seeing Bryce deliver that ball was good for the guys around him, as it's good for any quarterback. Shows they've got skin in the game. Young laughed afterward and acknowledged that he doesn't take too many good shots (this year, anyway), but the solidarity with those who do is valuable.
The Panthers have a long way to go to get to 2003/2015 levels (they're still 4-11), but they're moving in a tangible direction that's hard to deny. And Young being able to take a hit is one of the signs of that movement.
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Darin. Nothing better than knocking a team out of the chance for the playoffs. If you've been around a bit, you'll remember a terrible playoff night in Charlotte when a certain team knocked us out of the actual playoffs. I like Jadeveon Clowney's comment, "If we're going home in two weeks, so are they."
It seems like a young coach who's lived a lot of life is teaching men somewhat younger a few life lessons, like hard work and the results that come with it and how to quickly move on from the hurdles life throws at us. I'm already peeking at the draft. In the top 10 are two monster defensive linemen, one an edge. Which one is our biggest need? — Jimmy, Wilmington, NC
This team is definitely picking up what Dave Canales is putting down.
Talked to former Panthers coach Ron Rivera before the game Sunday, which is always a delight. (If Ron Rivera lived next to you and borrowed your lawn mower, he'd bring it back full of gas.)
But as we talked about the current team, Rivera said (and I assume he mentioned on the national radio broadcast) that he liked what Canales was doing here.
Ron used the word "steady," and while that might seem like faint praise in some lines of work, among football guys, that's one of the highest compliments you can give. Football guys strive for steady. Football guys value steady, and will pay for it, e.g., the Chuba Hubbard contract extension. Seriously, if Ron Rivera thinks you're steady, that's like a license to start printing novelty T-shirts. (Dave has slipped a "Missed Opportunities" in there; it's just part of the DNA of ball coaches to say things like that.)
As for the draft and whether they need interior defensive line help or edge-rushing help, the answer is yes. The Panthers will be looking to restock the defensive front seven this offseason in both free agency and the draft, so until we see where they spend their money in March, it's harder to narrow down.
But the Panthers are last in the league in run defense by a wide margin (nearly 500 more yards allowed than the 31st-ranked Giants), and the width of that margin is roughly equivalent to the width of a Derrick Brown. They need to get him back on the field, and find somebody about his size also, or a couple of somebodies his size. Until they get the front line right, it's going to be hard to fix that particular problem. However, edge-rushers who can change a game are rare, and they get drafted early. A few years ago, there was interest in moving into the latter stages of the first round to draft a particular player, but he went in the mid-teens, about 10-15 spots higher than they were considering. That's what happens at that position, so you have to be ready to listen to the market.
Which is a longer way of saying, we'll see, but they need both, and their free agency could inform the strategy.
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It really feels good to win one of these close games. There were some throws made Sunday by Bryce that I don't think he makes even at the start of this season. What can you say about the development of Bryce as both a leader and player throughout this season? I believe that Chuba Hubbard is the first Panther since 2019 to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Where do you rank Chuba among the many great running backs who have called "The Bank" home?
The last question for today is based on the better play of late from a variety of receivers. Would you definitively say that the defensive line is our biggest need in the draft? — Elliott, Hickory, NC
OK, we covered Bryce's ascent and the history of running backs above, so all these greedy people who try to ask multiple questions a week, we have to zoom in on one of their requests. Some people.
Again, fixing this defense is priority one this offseason, but the roster is not such that they can ignore obvious answers at any position. So, as the draft position fluctuates (they were slotted at No. 5 a week ago, and the win over the Cardinals moved them to No. 7), the reality of the best player available at that spot will, too.
And the Panthers aren't at the place in roster-building that they can ignore any position. If the best player at No. 7 (or wherever they end up) is a wide receiver, then they have to look at it.
With Xavier Legette out last week, the Panthers had exactly one drafted wide receiver in uniform, and that was former seventh-rounder David Moore (the 226th pick in 2017). "And that's basically undrafted," Moore said.
The Panthers have three receivers under contract for next year: Adam Thielen, going into his 35-year-old season, Legette, and Jalen Coker. So they have an obvious need at that position as well.
I wouldn't put it ahead of the defensive needs on the priority list, but Dan Morgan doesn't want to draft for needs. And if you're going to live that philosophy, you have to be prepared to follow your board.
Still, they need a lot of help in that defensive front seven. So that's the safe lean for now until we see what happens in free agency.
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Not sure if there will be a 'Bag this week or if you'll take the week off for a holiday, but an early Merry Christmas to you, Darin. I have been holding out hope that I wouldn't have to ask this question but, here we are.
What has happened to Ja'Tavion Sanders? Don't get me wrong, I know his injury was not an easy one to bounce back from, but he did rather quickly. He was really starting to come on before it, though. In the past three games, he has no catches on two targets, though. What gives? — John, Matthews, NC
Thanks John, but we're here, doing it for the people. Frankly, if you're a fat guy in December known for your overflowing (Mail)bag of goodies and you didn't deliver, the holiday just wouldn't be the same. Also, after 30 years of this, I've given up on holidays ever being normal. Today's Tuesday.
Not sure there's anything wrong with Sanders, it's just one of those coincidentally timed blips. First, if he wasn't well, he wouldn't be out there after landing on his head. But with the normal flow of the offense, it just goes certain guys' ways at certain times.
Canales was asked about it yesterday, and mentioned that part of it was that Tremble has been playing really well. This offense isn't one that offers a lot of targets to tight ends (last year with the Bucs, Cade Otten caught 47 balls, and nobody else had more than five). Tremble has six catches the last three weeks.
"It's not been by design," Canales said. "The ball hasn't found JT. It's just kind of the rhythm and flow of when things have gone out there where the ball has gone, but JT has been doing a really good job, too, busting his butt, and sometimes that's just the way it goes.
"So yeah, we've got to do a better job of trying to find a way to get JT involved."
Since Sanders is the only tight end under contract for next season, his role in the future is a given. He's shown signs of being the kind of pass-catcher who can allow them to expand the offense, but it always takes these guys a few years to learn about being the blocker it requires. Look no further than Tremble for evidence of that.
So I'm willing to chalk this one up to randomness and anticipate more out of Sanders as he gets an offseason to be a non-rookie and learn more.
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Is it my imagination, or do the Panthers have more critical injuries than other teams? — Floyd, Mooresville, NC
It's your imagination or at least proximity bias.
The Panthers have nine guys on injured reserve (including practice squad TE Stephen Sullivan), which is in the bottom half of the league in that regard (tied for 19th, to be specific). Compare that to Detroit, which has 22 dudes and basically an entire defense on IR.
They're actually in decent shape, but the problem is the names attached to the numbers.
You don't lose a Derrick Brown in the opener and not feel it for the rest of the year. You can't replace someone with that level of impact during the course of a season.
But Panthers fans are acutely aware of Panthers injuries and know themselves what it means to lose Brown, or Shaq Thompson, or center Austin Corbett, or rookie running back Jonathon Brooks. They might not always know that the Raiders and Browns and Giants and 49ers have it way worse.
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I know the John Fox truism that the other team practices too. During televised games, the announcers speak of making in-game adjustments and are always about making halftime adjustments. Sometimes, like in the Bucs and Cowboys games, the other teams' adjustments appear pretty obvious. I'm sure our coaches make adjustments as well. How can an observing fan tell when adjustments are being made during play or at halftime? Do our coordinators ever become complacent and just go with a pregame plan rather than rely on making adjustments? — Tom, Garner, NC
Nah, everybody adjusts, and usually pretty constantly. A lot of it is hard for the television-viewing audience to see or understand.
(This is also a pet peeve of mine. There are a lot of people in my business who speak in code and say football words to convince football listeners that they know what they're talking about. So discussing an abstract concept like "adjustments" makes it sound like you really know what's up, and are gracious to share your knowledge with the unwashed masses.)
Teams can do things like adjust their alignments or their fronts on defense. It's harder to adjust coverage because there are a lot more moving parts. This is a simplified way of saying, yeah, teams adjust, but not in ways that most people (even the football-word-sayers) really could grasp.
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I just wanted to say I was a volunteer with my company for Joy to the Carolinas, and I got to spend a lot of time with equipment manager Don Toner at my station, and he was incredibly kind and welcoming. Wanted to give him a shoutout. — Carter, Charlotte
Glad you did; nobody deserves it more than Donny.
Toner has been with the team since Jan. 2, 1995. He's literally an original.
He's also one of the most humble, unassuming people I've ever met in my career hanging around this team. If there's ever anything to take credit for (and there always is), you might not be able to see him. You definitely won't hear him. He does his job efficiently and well and has zero interest whatsoever in being recognized for it.
But Don Toner is the guy who makes sure all the people have all the things.
Santa Claus gets a lot of credit for delivering one night a year, but Toner and his staff do it for 10 road games a year, plus training camp. And one of those games was in Germany, plus it's not like it's that much easier at home.
Don's a legend. Glad you got to meet him. (Also, don't let this picture of a big belly and a red hat on Christmas Eve fool you, that's just him serving others in the rain by keeping the stuff dry under his jacket. He's an athlete.)
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I'm really enjoying Jim. Szoke's interviews celebrating players from the last 30 years, and Stew and the Crew also updating some of those great names from the past. Jonathon Stewart has pulled some interesting, emotional truths from forward players—how he got Eugene Robinson to share about his unfortunate experience before the Super Bowl when he was with Atlanta was mesmerizing. Will these continue past this season or is this just a one-off because it's the 30th season of Panther football? — Omer, Wilkesboro, NC
Passed this along to Jim and the folks in the broadcast department, and they said thanks, Omer, for recognizing.
We've added a ton of podcast inventory over the last year, and we're always looking for new ways to add to it.
While the anniversary might come and go, the demand is there, so we'll keep supplying. And yes, Stewart is getting better and better at this. He's good at the conversational aspect, and not every former player is.
Szoke is a national treasure, by the way. Love the time I spend with him every pregame, in which we hear lots of National Anthems being practiced, and once this year saw a horse poop on the field (in Denver) during the middle of our spot. We've seen some things, he and I.
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And on that note, let's go lightning round, brought to you by the patron saint of the lightning round Jeff from Fuquay-Varina, to close it out this week.
Hi Darin. I hope you are doing well. I'm not trying to be in the Mailbag this week. I was just wondering if you could encourage the Mailbag bunch to go to nfl.com and vote for Adam Thielen in the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Thielen is such a blessing to our team. It would be great to see him win money for his charity. Thanks. — LeeAnne, Lincolnton, NC
Sorry LeeAnne, you push the button on the Mail, you go in the 'Bag. Happy to steer people to the voting, which also happens on social media.
Hi Darin, Happy early Hanukkah, I see that Mike Boone is playing for the Panthers, I am assuming is nickname in the locker room is Mike from Boone? — Shaked, Charlotte
And a chag sameach to you, Shaked. Mike is definitely aware of Boone; he has heard of it and longs to see the wonders of the High Country for himself one day.
Yes, Panther Nation, there IS a Santa Claus! Merry Christmas to all and the best of everything in 2025! — Jan, Flat Rock, NC
That was Sir Purr, Jan. Give the man the credit he deserves.
Good morning and Merry Christmas to you and your family. What a wonderful present; the Panther's win in OT makes this week more enjoyable, seeing the progress unfolding right in front of our eyes, envisioning the positives for next season, and most importantly, being with family for the holidays. Wanted to wish all everyone a safe and healthy holiday and Keep Pounding. — David, Farmington, MO
Can't say it any better than that. Thanks to the whole Mailbag family, from ours to yours, Happy Holidays.
