After finishing with the NFL’s worst record of 2-15, the Carolina Panthers find themselves at the bottom of ESPN’s early power rankings for the 2024 season. They sit in 32nd place, with the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants just ahead of them.
The Panthers have hired Dave Canales as their third non-interim head coach in less than three years and fourth since 2019, hoping to turn around quarterback Bryce Young’s career. Canales has called Young an “amazing talent” and aims to replicate the success he had with Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith. Young needs support after ranking second to last in Total QBR during his rookie season.
Without the No. 1 overall draft pick, which was traded to Chicago, the Panthers will have to rely on their No. 33 overall selection at the top of the second round to make an immediate impact. Free agency will be crucial for the team, as they not only need to add talent but also retain it. Linebackers Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu will be free agents this offseason, and if the Panthers cannot secure a deal with either of them, they will likely remain at the bottom of the league’s rankings for the 2024 season.