The Chargers are on the road to face the Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 10:00 a.m. PT.
To get you prepped for the Week 2 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.
Offseason rebuild
After finishing 2-15 last season, a new coaching staff and front office members were brought in. Dave Canales is in his first season as head coach for the Panthers. Canales spent his first 13 seasons with the Seahawks (2010-22) in various offensive roles before serving as the offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers in 2023.
Bryce looking to bounce back
The Panthers selected quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Young’s rookie season wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, as he completed just 315 of 527 pass attempts for 2,877 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He only surpassed 200 passing yards in just five games. In the season opener last Sunday against the Saints, Young did not look much improved as a passer, completing 13 of 30 passes for 161 yards and two interceptions. Even with an upgraded receiver room, with Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette, Young still struggled to connect with them, overthrowing them on a few throws.
Defense was dominated
The Panthers bolstered their defense in the spring, signing defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, linebacker Josey Jewell, edge defender Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Jordan Fuller. Despite the additions, the product on the field was nothing to write home about. The Saints put up 47 points on the scoreboard. New Orleans scored on every one of its first nine possessions of the game. Carolina gave up 379 total yards, 180 of which came on the ground.
Star defender out for the season
The Panthers will be without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1. The anchor of the defensive front, Brown just signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension this offseason. Brown is coming off a career year in which he amassed 103 tackles and 15 for loss.
Look out for…
Offensive lineman Robert Hunt. Usually, a skill player would be slotted here, but I’m highlighting the 100-million-dollar man. Previously with the Dolphins, Hunt has proven himself as one of the best right guards in the NFL. It will be a fun matchup in the trenches between him and Poona Ford and Otito Ogbonnia, who are both coming off dominant performances.
