Reacts Results: Settling expectations into the gutter

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 18: Luke Fortner #77 of the Carolina Panthers defends against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 18, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Go back into the comments this week on almost any article and you'll find a number of our readers referencing shuffling the deck chairs on the titanic." That's the mood across the Carolina Panthers fandom after two consecutive, demoralizing losses that have highlighted both the weaknesses of the coaching staff and the limitations of this heavily injured roster.

Fan confidence, which was riding in the 90s for a couple of week as the Panthers built themselves up to a 3-2 record after their early bye week, has cratered. The inability of the remains of Carolina's offensive line to do anything with much success has hamstrung the high-flying offense that began the season with hopes of an NFL-leading passer and whispers of the MVP conversation. Now, instead of an award, the team views a first down as a lofty aspiration.

Staff firings aren't surprising with these kinds of confidence numbers. Many have been out on Evero for years as his bend but don't break" style of defense too often broke. What is telling, however, is that most Panthers fans don't think his removal moves the needle much. Head coach Dave Canales has a battle ahead of him to not lose the fanbase entirely. From one perspective, it is simple: start winning again. From another, it is much harder.

Just as fans are right not to expect major changes for a unit devastated by injury just because their much-maligned leader has been fired, fans also shouldn't expect a massive change in the Panthers ability to compete. They are fielding what is, at many positions, a roster with less reliable or less heralded players than they had during the preseason. Cornerback and left guard have been particularly affected. Left tackle, center, and right guard have experienced much less turmoil and yet also been somehow more disappointing as the season has worn on.

Some of that blame is rightly laid at Canales' feet. Coaching plays a part in every players performance and the buck stops with him on that front. Some if it, however, comes down to luck and the players. Injuries, regressions, and mistakes are things that happen. It takes a team effort to overcome them and, for the moment, that effort seems lacking across the board.

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