With Rhule and now Fitterer I get the feeling, that there is a long term plan in place, that is being pursuit. Which I really appreciate, obviously. With Hurnia it was more of a trial and error.
I feel like they want to build a team that can content first and then get the QB of the future.
In the best case on a Rookie deal, so it would be easy an the cap. Teddy was just a bridge QB and so could be Darnold, plus he has a pretty high upside.
I feel like we have a good core of players now and I really like the approach of keeping them with us. For anybody crying out because the Robbie extension would make it impossible to sign DJ: do you really think our decision makers are such fools? It is the opposite. Obviously they are trying to keep both. Moton got a new deal done. This is good stuff. Why have turmoil when you want stability?
I wonder why we wouldn't be better than last year. To be worse, Darnold would have to be a burning clown car, falling off a cliff. Our defense is better, some optimists say it might be top 10. Or offense is loaded as well, with depth and high caliber players. If Darnold fulfills his potential, that all the scouts s in him or offense might be top 10 too...
Our draft class seems to be one of the best in Panthers history. I know it's early for this statement and probably we could have done something a little different to maximize (LS comes to mind).
What I am getting to is: I have trust, that we are on the right track and are building a contender.
Sorry for the long read, and my blatant optimism, but I don't post often and wanted to share my feelings before the season starts.
I am excited and looking forward to Panthers football.