There is a noticeable optimism with the Carolina Panthers. 

Maybe it has to do with the facelift the roster received over the offseason. It also could be the arrival of Bryce Young, the superstar out of Alabama who is supposed to change the direction of the franchise. Regardless of the reasoning, the tone of the team is noticeably light, and the desire to win is deep-rooted. And for the first time in nearly five years, the Panthers have reason to hold expectations. 

It also helps that the NFC South is up for grabs. 

Tampa Bay is moving on following Tom Brady’s retirement, while the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints appear in rebuild mode as well.

A circumstance that the Panthers are keenly aware of. 

“It’s a huge opportunity for us to win a division and make some noise,” Jaycee Horn, the third-year cornerback, said. “But no matter what we have on paper — the No. 1 pick, these defensive acquisitions — it don’t matter if you don’t put in the work. We’re going to try to go out and do that these next couple of weeks.”

Last season, while Brady was still playing in Tampa Bay and the Saints made things interesting, the Panthers managed to look competitive in the division. Three out of the four teams finished 7-10. And the Panthers were in the running for the division crown until the final weeks of the season. 

To add, the Panthers were able to be competitive minus reliable quarterback play. The team cycled through Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and PJ Walker. All looked serviceable at times and unplayable at others. But that won't be the case in 2023. 

New head coach Frank Reich coronated Young as the starting quarterback in the dog days of summer team activities. 

With the change in the depth chart came expectations, but they are ones Young is more than ready to deal with. 

“The expectations for me and really everyone are to just push each other and make sure we get the best that we can out of each other every single day,” Young said on the eve of his first NFL training camp practice. “If we keep stacking those days then that’s all we can really control.”

So expectations or not, the Panthers have a real chance at claiming the NFC South. And the seeds of that achievement are planted at the end of July, during training camp, when no one is watching. 

Bryce Young can make Panthers history with his first snap

Rookie quarterback Bryce Young can make Carolina Panthers history with his first snap in the NFL

Bryce Young on expectations for 2023: ‘Taking things day by day’

For the Panthers, Bryce Young represented a changing of the guard. A chance at certainty.

Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.