Chicago Bears fans will be focused on their own team once the season kicks off next week. Everybody hopes this young team can take a step forward from last year. GM Ryan Poles did a lot of work improving their size, speed, and depth. Several positions look stronger on paper. If the schedule turns out favorable, there is a chance the Bears might compete for a playoff spot. However, plenty of eyes will also be focused on the Carolina Panthers this year. Why? It's thanks to Poles' blockbuster trade this past March to land their 1st round pick in 2024.
How the Panthers do this season will determine the placement of that pick. A losing record almost guarantees it will be a top-10 selection. That would be a terrific outcome for the Bears. Nobody is sure what to expect from Carolina. However, Mike Clay of ESPN does expect one thing. Their offense will likely be bad. Really bad.
Projected lowest-scoring teams
1. Washington Commanders, 310 points
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 311 points
3. Carolina Panthers, 323 points
It isn't a surprise they're projected to be bad. They have a rookie quarterback under center, Bryce Young. His array of weapons includes journeyman receiver D.J. Chark, the 33-year-old Adam Thielen, rookie Jonathan Mingo, and average tight end Hayden Hurst. If that weren't bad enough, left tackle Ikem Ekwonu had a brutal preseason, allowing four pressures and two sacks in only 35 snaps. This comes after his rough rookie season with six sacks, 27 pressures, and 13 penalties.
The Carolina Panthers need many things to go right.
When talent is a potential problem, it falls on the coaching to make up the difference. Frank Reich is an experienced head coach with a deep offensive background. However, the last time he worked with a rookie quarterback in 2016 was a mixed bag. Carson Wentz had a 79.3 passer rating, and Philadelphia finished 6-10. That team was far more talented than the one Reich has now.
It's also notable that teams who score around the same number of points projected by ESPN don't do well in the win column.
- 2022 Bears: 3-14
- 2021 Lions: 3-13-1
- 2020 Broncos: 5-11
- 2019 Browns: 6-10
- 2018 Lions: 6-10
If the Carolina Panthers want to avoid this outcome, they either need the offense to exceed expectations or the defense to carry the load. That unit was 22nd in the league last year, so such an outcome feels unlikely. If this progresses as anticipated, there is a good chance the Bears will have a top-10 pick next April.
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