Bear Hands

The way I see it, Slowik, Johnson, Canales & MacDonald are the exciting young names out there. I don't see LA signing a young gun, Harbaugh got his title so can go back to the NFL, and Belicheck could get traded (where I think NE has Mayo in the wings). The way I see it, there's 2 of the 4 openings left for the younger guys. So ideally, if this search firm is good and the young guys seem viable, we should have one of them on the plate as HC.

Yep. There's 3 guys representing any semblance of a "core" on contract next season: Derrick Brown, Vonn Bell, & Taylor Moton But we may be in a good position to send Moton to a better place. By the time this can be built, he'll be on his 3rd contract, so might as well position ourselves in a better spot with youth and send him to a contender. Luvu is the only guy worth re-signing. Maybe Franklin as ST captain. We're likely stuck with Tuttle, Bozeman, & maybe Woods another year. Mingo and Icky will be here unless the new HC really isn't liking them. Bryce will of course be here... That's really it. This is as bare bones as you'll see an NFL roster.

Yep. It totally did need to happen. Will be very interesting to see how this offseason shakes out. The roster is primed for the full tear down/rebuild we should have done at the get-go with Tepper. Just 5 years late with a potential QB already in the mix.

haha truth. I would typically be all excited to dive into prospective candidates. Now, I'm just like - no old over the hill dudes or guys that will be a fish out of water. Any of these promising DCs, OCs, sure, whatever. Johnson, Canales, Slowick, MacDonald, let's see what's next in this carnival of madness. GM wise, we'll see who the search narrows it down to.

Solid points and it’s why I’m a bit less invested this time around in the GM search. Sure we can string together a work history, assume who’s on their Rolodex, find some articles and watch interviews but there’s so many layers to it..difficult to form a well-informed opinion as a fan/outside looking in.

Don't overlook Canales.

That actually may be the right fit for Jim. I’ve just heard through their local media about tempering expectations for Ben Johnson and the young guys. They just tried that and failed so they’re leaning to the less risky hire that will give some assurance for helping Herbert.

100% Definitely wish we gave the kid a better situation. Not being able to parse out what is more him vs environment vs combination of all is now on the next staff to figure out.

Also a tough thing for Bryce. The guy who originally pounded the table for him and was his biggest advocate is now gone. An even bigger hurdle to climb appears as not many QBs handpicked by a former, fired regime tend to work out for the next one.

Pinned

Word is LA wants an experienced HC. Could see Dan Quinn in the mix there.

Stop you two or you’re gonna get some time off

Breeg and Reece’spieces — stop it

This stalemate, Burns’ average performance and the team playing so poorly has definitely put us in a pickle. We’ll have to overpay to keep him but we lost value if we tag and trade (which may be hard to do in itself). I could legit see him just go elsewhere.

Yeah, the list keeps going haha.

Just looking around the league, let's consider the true top tier pass rushers and DL. Is Burns really comparable to any of these guys? I just don't see it. TJ Watt Myles Garrett Trey Hendrickson Maxx Crosby Khalil Mack Nick Bosa Josh Allen Micah Parsons Aiden Hutchinson Danielle Hunter Bradley Chubb Justin Madubuike Hassan Reddick

Yep. I'm not in the crowd wanting a QB at 33, or even 64, but given what we saw this year with a bad product on the offense (coaching, OL, WR, & QB), he'll need to show some apparent improvement under a new regime that can prove the negatives we saw this season are due to things out of his control. I'm talking pocket awareness, throws on out routes, pre-snap calls, accuracy, footwork, ball-control when tackled. If not, it's just not going to work out (at least for him in the QC) You usually know by that 1.5 year mark. But failing an eye test at this degree should sound alarms.

As a team who has seen one of the absolute worst and then one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history, in sequential years, this is one of the more appropriate groups for seeing what promise vs. not cutting it looks like. I really don't think calling it for what it is, is some overreaction. There's a level of eye test needing to be passed and Bryce did not cut it this season. Simple as that. This was Jake Locker level. Now sure, I'll give him into next season but holy hell, this was just bad. I simply can't get over the lack of zip and his footwork. Not to mention, there are huge detriments that aren't correctable physically, he does not have the arm (I don't know how people can't see this, the zip is not there), and now, he is playing scared 100% of the time. This is a bad situation. I know he's a "good kid" or whatever and people WANT him to be good. But he just wasn't. He has A LOT to prove in short order.

We didn't make the trades we should've made and made all the ones we shouldn't have. No trade down in 2021 from #8 with teams calling (could've gained a 1st) No Burns trade at one of the highest market non-QB values you'll find (2 firsts) Didn't play hardball in CMC's deal with multiple teams calling Traded for Sam Darnold (gave up a 2nd, 4th and 5th) Traded for CJ Henderson (gave up a third) Traded for Matt Corral (gave up an extra 3rd) Traded for Brandon Smith (gave up a higher pick package) Traded for #1 Overall (gave up DJ Moore and a boatload) Traded up for DJ Johnson..next picks proceeded to be Achane, Diaby and Spears lol Fail after fail after fail after fail after fail

Oh look another rookie WR looking great (Wicks in GB)

Solid

Well he grabbed a sack today. Final 2023 stats: 32 solo tackles, 8 sacks, 15 TFL, 1 FF Worst statistical year since his rookie campaign. - Is he a better asset than Montez Sweat? Is he worth $25 million+ per year? $20m? How do we navigate his situation? Word was beginning of season discussions were around $27m/yr

"other people have been worse" Solid

Imagine if they spent the time actually building a team with a distinct framework in mind.

At least we have one consistently decent franchise in the Carolinas.