The Carolina Panthers have had a marvelous offseason, and they will surely shock many in the 2023 campaign. Let’s make some bold predictions for them. If you’re wanting to bank on a team to breakout in 2023, it’s the Carolina Panthers
Not only did they hire Frank Reich, a stellar head coach who should not have been fired, but they also aced the offseason, grabbing useful free agents and hitting on solid needs in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This team is also in the NFC South, which is a hilariously weak division, so I think Carolina has a real shot at making some noise in 2023.
Bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 season
Panthers finish with a winning record
Whether they barely win 9 games or ease their way to a 12 win season, I think this team is going to have immediate success in 2023. I believe their coaching staff is excellent, their defense is underrated, and I love what they’ve done on offense, especially since losing DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears.
They won’t put up a ton of points and may not play elite defense, but they’ll be like the Minnesota Vikings were in 2022– they’ll win the close games and finish with a surprising winning record.
Bryce Young wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
Maybe this one isn’t too bold, but I also think it is. Bijan Robinson is probably going to be the runaway favorite for this award, but not only do I think Bryce Young wins the starting job from Andy Dalton, but I think he starts all 17 games and wins the ORoY award.
He’ll have a passer rating in the mid-90s and will clearly establish himself as the next franchise QB for the Panthers. Frank Reich, Jim Caldwell, and Josh McCown are all on the offensive staff and will be excellent resources for Young to see early success.
Panthers win the NFC South, clinch top 4 seed in NFC and earn home playoff game
The Carolina Panthers are going to win the NFC South in 2023. This will automatically guarantee them a top four seed and a home playoff game. If they do win the division, I do think they’ll be behind the other division winners, so I think they’ll be the fourth seed.
But still, this team, based on history, shouldn’t be this good this quickly, but I think they will. We’ve seen rookie coaching staffs come in and find immediate success. Both the Giants and Jaguars did this in 2022, and I think the Carolina Panthers do it in 2023.