Don't miss our podcast, Processing Blue, and subscribe to our newsletter, Access Panthers. This year is crucial for Bryce Young as he seeks to establish himself as a franchise quarterback, and for second-year head coach Dave Canales with his upgraded team. Follow along through training camp, preseason, and the regular season.
The Carolina Panthers are coming off an epic 30-27 overtime road win over the Atlanta Falcons. They are 6-5 with six games remaining and in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt.
So, naturally, the Carolina faithful is curious about where the team goes from here. That’s why The Charlotte Observer has brought back the Panthers mailbag to answer fan questions.
Here are some standout questions from social media:
Bryce Young playing point guard
Adam on BlueSky asks: There seemed to be a concerted effort at the start to target receivers other than Tetairoa McMillan. Just worked out that way or was it actually intended?
Mike Kaye: Typically, an offense shows its cards early in a game, specifically the opening series, which comes from a scripted play sheet that the unit has practiced and felt good about all throughout the week. During the opening drive against the Falcons, quarterback Bryce Young targeted six different receivers.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young throws a pass during Sunday’s third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
Given the opening stretch of plays, it’s probably fair to say that there was some sort of concerted effort by Young, head coach Dave Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik to get more playmakers involved early — even if they probably didn’t plan for that much widespread inclusion.
Canales said Monday that the Panthers wanted to get Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker more involved, but the volume of receiving targets happened “organically.” Receivers were getting open, the offensive line was pass blocking relatively well, and Young was able to buy time and execute, allowing for further progressions if the first read wasn’t free.
As The Charlotte Observer wrote about last week, the Panthers were struggling with the approach of forcing the ball to McMillan. While McMillan can be the center of the passing offense, he can’t be the absolute of the aerial attack. By moving the ball around and letting Young play “point guard,” the Panthers were able to take advantage of matchups and avoid having McMillan clamped down on with bracket coverage.
Carolina’ Panthers receiver Xavier Legette runs the ball against Jessie Bates III f the Atlanta Falcons during Sunday’s third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
Canales said after the game that the passing efforts, including Young’s franchise-record 448 passing yards and three touchdowns, were the result of chemistry and execution.
The Panthers produced nine passing plays of 20 yards or more, and six different receivers contributed to that total. McMillan led the way with eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns, but the Panthers were smart to take advantage of his work as a decoy — as he was used all over the formation, including in the slot — as well. Coker and Legette benefited from the Falcons covering up McMillan to create favorable 1-on-1 opportunities for the supporting cast.
Of course, none of this happens without Young orchestrating a signature performance. He was electric with his arm, even as an injured ankle forced him into the trainer’s room briefly in the first half. Young looked decisive with his throws, and he trusted all of his weapons, which led to him outproducing his previous three-game total (364 yards and one touchdown) by 84 yards and two touchdowns in one game.
This beat writer has routinely mused about the play-calling disconnect between Canales and Idzik and Young over the first 10 games.
In the final nine games of last year, Young played with the freedom to move the ball all around the field. When he is distributing the ball to the entire receiver lineup and launching beyond 15 yards, he tends to thrive. That intermediate range is Young’s comfort zone, and he seemingly was hesitant to consistently rely on that area through the first half of the season.
Jalen Coker (18) of the Carolina Panthers celebrates a two-point conversion with Brycen Tremayne during Sunday’s fourth quarter against the host Atlanta Falcons. Todd Kirkland Getty Images
Maybe that was on play-calling — only the staff, Young and the offensive depth chart know — but it was clear on Sunday that Carolina found a recipe for success in the passing game. Young was on fire against Atlanta, so here’s hoping he can carry that over to San Francisco in Week 12.
Panthers OL confusion
Rob C on X asks: Why does Chandler Zavala start? I don’t understand the strategy of keeping Austin Corbett ready for other injuries along the line. Don’t you start your best five?
I pondered this myself when Canales announced the move this past Friday.
Corbett has had an up-and-down campaign. He played his best game at center against Green Bay, but he was largely forgettable in his return to right guard against New Orleans the following week.
Starting the five best offensive linemen is an ideal outlook. And it makes you wonder if the Panthers don’t think Corbett is one of those five at the moment.
Zavala, who has battled several injury setbacks over the past three years, is a big, strong dude. He’s actually played better at right guard in the NFL than his college position of left guard. But largely, he’s been a mediocre performer across the board, and it’s clear right guard will be an underwhelming spot until Robert Hunt (biceps) potentially returns from injury.
Carolina Panthers Chandler Zavala practices at the team’s 2025 rookie minicamp. Charlotte
The reason to possibly play Zavala over Corbett is upside. Zavala is signed through 2026 on his cheap rookie deal. Corbett will be a free agent again this March. Corbett also has the versatility to play multiple positions, while Zavala is still trying to find his place.
In a way, that’s smart business. You need cheap pockets on your depth chart as you try to fill holes with big-ticket contracts in free agency. But I’m just not sure if that makes a lot of sense during a playoff push, unless you think multiple knee injuries have completely sapped Corbett’s ability to effectively block in a phone booth.
Panthers center Austin Corbett warms up before the game against the Bills their Oct. 26, 2025 game at Bank of America Stadium. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
There’s no simple fix here, and honestly, I’m not sure either player is a better answer at the position than Jake Curhan, who played very well in relief against the Packers. I don’t get the sense that the Zavala setup is a permanent thing, as it seems like Canales left the promotion open-ended. If Corbett can lose his starting gig after one week, so can Zavala, in theory.
I thought Zavala’s performance was rough on Sunday, but I’m also not privy to all the semantics of the blocking assignments. We’ll see where Canales and the staff go this week.
CMC reunion on tap
Ryan A. on X asks: What’re your key matchups for the 49ers game? Any added meaning for the Panther players vs CMC and vice versa?
Ryan, I’m genuinely curious about how this pass rush is going to get home on Brock Purdy on Monday.
San Francisco left tackle Trent Williams is a borderline generational player and right tackle Colton McKivitz has been terrific this year. Both are stellar run blockers, but their pass protection against DJ Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Trevis Gipson and Princely Umanmielen will be critical in prime time. It’s a strength against a middling production crew.
Obviously, the other concern is the middle of the defense for Carolina. Tight ends have had a lot of success against defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s scheme over the past three years. And while George Kittle isn’t lighting the world on fire right now, he’s still arguably a top-five tight end in the league.
Christian McCaffrey, too, is a juggernaut as a dual threat out of the backfield, and I think he will be up for playing his old team. My understanding is he had mixed emotions about being dealt from Carolina, and there’s no ill will, but players are emotional and typically want to show out against teams that dismissed them, regardless of circumstances.
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field after a Nov. 16, 2025 ame against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium n Glendale, Ariz. Norm Hall Getty Images
On the flip side, Bryce Huff could be a problem for left tackle Ickey Ekwonu and right tackle Taylor Moton. Huff has thrived as a speed rusher in Robert Saleh’s defense, and Ekwonu and Moton will need to get their hands on him early to stop in his tracks. Otherwise, I think the Panthers match up solidly on offense against the 49ers’ defense. Deommodore Lenoir, the top corner for San Fran, will be an interesting matchup for McMillan. I do expect the Panthers to run the ball a bit better as well after a couple of rough performances against the Saints and Falcons.
If Young airs it out similarly to his performance in Atlanta, the Panthers could be primed for another upset win against an NFC contender.