Has your return to playoffs timeline been adjusted?

[Manna]

Realistically, 2 years. Optimistically, next year. just keep pounding. 

[ProcessBlue2]

Probably going to land in the 4-6 game range I predicted this summer. Next year will be 6-9 with a lot of games like the last few. 

Have some fine tuning on offense. Defense needs some real help.

[CarolinaLivin]

If they have a great off-season, next year. But they have to have a great off-season. Can’t just focus on the defense. Defense needs the most help, but the offense isn’t complete either. 
 

i’m not really sold on us being a good drafting team. So im still in wait and see mode. I realistically think we are around .500. Which is around what it takes to make it to the playoffs in this division lol

Edited December 9 by CarolinaLivin

[PleaseCutStewart]

Probably not because it will take a while to build a competent D. Outside of Horn and DB (who of course got hurt week 1...), we are pretty much trotting out practice squad players at every other position. While Jackson has been solid at DB 2 and maybe Shaq can stay healthy and be decent (if he isn't cut), we have to easily have the worst front 7 in the NFL (and possible the worst front 7 in Panthers history).

Even if we go D heavy in the draft, we likely still aren't going to be good on D for a few years.

[Chief_Chokeaho]

A good draft could turn the team around by itself. Couple that with a competent free agency overhaul and this team could realistically approach double digit wins next year. Our strength of schedule should be easy.

[SteveSmithTD89]

I said this in another thread but it holds true here as well:

If we'd held on and beaten KC, Tampa and Philly (which isn't that big of a stretch) we would currently be tied for first in the division. 

Assuming Young continues to play and improve like he has the last 5 weeks then we should absolutely be in a threat for the division next year.

The South is right there for the taking 

[PanthersNCSU]

In the dumpster fire that is the NFC South, next year is realistic. In a normal division, a couple years. 

[Jackson113.2]

[CRA]

We need a defense.  That should take a couple seasons.  And we still need an explosive playmaker or 2 on O which I don't think we have.   We don't need Tyreek Hill but we need someone that can turn a bubble screen into a TD.   I think most good teams have that caliber offensive player on the roster.  They can even be a niche roleplayer but we need some explosiveness to the pass game.  To me XL, Coker, Saudners, AT, all represent similar type options in the pass game.