Predicting the Panthers’ 2023 season: Can Bryce Young lead Carolina to playoffs in Year 1?

The Carolina Panthers will open the 2023 regular-season at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. But before those NFC South foes can clash to begin the season, our experts wanted to weigh in on what is to come during the first season of the Frank Reich era.
Below are The Observer’s predictions for the 2023 Panthers season, from beat writers Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow and sports columnist Scott Fowler:
What will be the Panthers’ 2023 win-loss record?
Mike Kaye: 8-9. If the Panthers were being honest with themselves, they’d realize that this is the first year of a two-year rebuild. With a revamped coaching staff, a new defensive scheme and two dozen new players on the 53-man roster, the Panthers are clearly retooling, especially with rookie quarterback Bryce Young leading the offense.
Frankly, this season is all about Young. Making the playoffs, even in a weak division, shouldn’t be the be all, end all. As Reich knows, winning a terrible division can be difficult, and the Panthers are probably best off competing while also contemplating the long-term future.
After overachieving with interim head coach Steve Wilks last season, the Panthers should be hoping to see a strong campaign from Young and an extra win (or two) on their season record.
Alex Zietlow: 10-7. Panther fans ... I know. I know what this record suggests, and I know what kind of questions this prediction will prompt. (Among them: Is Alex ... OK?)
A quick defense of my contrarianism: Carolina is in an NFC South rife with quarterback trouble and opportunity, and that means that going 3-3 before the the Week 7 bye week isn’t merely a possibility — it should probably be the expectation. Could things go wrong after Week 7? Sure. The offensive line has solicited the wrong kind of national attention this preseason, and there are warranted concerns about the defensive backfield.
But if Bryce Young is as transcendent of a talent and leader as everyone around him says he is — and if he stays healthy — the offense will be an improvement from the one that went 4-2 in its last six games last year.
So yeah, give me 10-7. See you in January (if I’m still employed by then).
Scott Fowler: 7-10. They’re just not quite there yet, Panthers fans. What I see is a team with some good pieces, but also one that doesn’t have enough to win the NFC South.
Where is the true No. 1 receiver? Where is the tight end that scares defenses? And what about that offensive line, the one that — if Panthers’ history is any guide at all — is due for another breakdown right about now?
I’m not saying there won’t be some fine moments. Carolina may well win its first game at Atlanta. And so far with Bryce Young, I’m a (tentative) believer. He strikes me as a player who is going to be careful with the ball and smart with his reads. But, like the team, he’s not quite there yet. It’s totally the right decision to start him right away, though. He’s the future.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks to the sideline as he calls a play during first quarter action against the Detroit Lions on Friday, August 25, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Who will be the team’s offensive MVP?
Mike Kaye: QB Bryce Young. The first overall pick has done a nice job of galvanizing the locker room as a rookie leader. And while his preseason performance wasn’t perfect, Young flashed his big-play ability throughout the summer. Young should put together a strong debut season as long as the offensive line and running game hold up.
Alex Zietlow: QB Bryce Young. What Mike said. If there’s anything to value about the Panthers’ on-field product this season, it’ll be because of the quarterback the organization planned its future around.
Scott Fowler: RB Miles Sanders. A mystery to many casual Panthers fans because they never saw him in the preseason, Sanders can really play. Plus, the Panthers plan to use him heavily.
Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders during the team’s Fan Fest practice at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
Who will be the team’s defensive MVP?
Mike Kaye: LB Shaq Thompson. Thompson has looked like a completely different player in the new 3-4 defense. After taking a pay cut to stick around, Thompson put together an impressive summer as he darted all over the field. The longtime Panthers leader should have a special campaign in the new system.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson celebrates a defensive stop against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during second half action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, October 23, 2022. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 21-3.
Alex Zietlow: CB Jaycee Horn. The Panthers’ 2021 draft pick is the key to so much of this defensive backfield’s success. If he can stay healthy — and it’s a big “if” considering his first two years in the league — he might be the shutdown corner this defense could really benefit from.
Scott Fowler: Edge rusher Brian Burns. He’s not only this team’s best defensive player, he’s the best player, period. Two Pro Bowls in two years on two lousy Panthers teams — this one shouldn’t be close unless Burns sits out several games due to injuries or contractual issues.
Carolina Panthers Brian Burns wears the number 0 at Panthers Training Camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC., on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Who will be the team’s rookie of the year (outside of Bryce Young)?
Mike Kaye: G Chandler Zavala. The N.C. State alum has tremendous upside, and he should be counted on pretty heavily with Austin Corbett shelved for at least the first four weeks of the season. Zavala played well enough in the preseason to show a glimpse of what he can do at right guard. While Corbett will eventually return, Zavala could carve out a long-term starting role if he plays well during the first month or so of the season.
Alex Zietlow: WR Jonathan Mingo. Will he be as good as his Ole Miss receiving brethren that he constantly gets compared to — namely A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf? Unclear at this point. What is clear is that his connection with Bryce Young is alive, and he’ll have plenty of chances to make an impact in 2023.
Scott Fowler: WR Jonathan Mingo. Already finding some rhythm with Young, Mingo is going to get a lot of chances this year due to the Panthers’ iffy corps of wide receivers. He’s a little raw but definitely capable.
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo arrives at a practice during the team’s training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
What will be the biggest surprise of the season?
Mike Kaye: Jeremy Chinn’s success at big nickel corner. While Chinn is coming off a down year, the 2020 second-round pick has embraced his new role within the Panthers’ defense. Now playing the big nickel position, Chinn has the range to make plays against the run and in coverage. Chinn had an encouraging summer, and he should be set up to thrive by the new defensive staff.
Alex Zietlow: The Panthers’ defense will lead the division in sacks. This pass rushing corps is stacked; Justin Houston and Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu and Marquis Haynes combined for 34 sacks in 2022.
Scott Fowler: Adam Thielen leads the Panthers in receiving yardage. Maybe not a huge surprise, give Thielen’s career, but he is 33 years old after all, and he’s not going to win a lot of 100-meter dashes. Still, Thielen has had an early and natural connection with Young and will be invaluable to him.
Panther wide receiver Adam Thielen will be one of the team’s biggest surprises in 2023.
Who will win the NFC South?
Mike Kaye: New Orleans Saints. The Saints feel like a short-sighted organization that is built to compete one year at a time. Teams with short-term goals often pay for that outlook with free agents leaving in droves for big money elsewhere and a tough schedule in the next season. Still, Derek Carr and a host of returning veterans should help the Saints reach the 9-8 mark for a close NFC South title win.
Alex Zietlow: Carolina Panthers. Any team that’s 10-7 will get the divisional bid to the NFL postseason.
Scott Fowler: New Orleans Saints. In a weak division, the Saints have a veteran quarterback and just enough everywhere else to eke this one out.