CHARLOTTE — We're all going to die. This is empirically true, of course, and inevitable. But unless you turned off your TV at the end of the wild card game, and haven't turned it back on since, you are likely aware that it's going to happen this weekend across the South because of a winter storm.

If you've read this spot regularly, you know I have little patience for outrage farming and unnecessary hype, and that's what the modern weather industrial complex is built on. (I do, however, trust my guy Brad Panovich, because he's willing to do two things that make him stand out among his meteorological peers — wait to make a call, and then do it calmly and with perspective. Being willing to say "I don't know yet" is an underrated superpower.)

Hopefully, the storm passes without incident, and we all go about our lives. There are things everyone can do to prepare, but these are the kinds of things you should do anyway. Have supplies. Have a backup plan. Have friends across a broad area and stay in touch with them, increasing your chances of having someone you can crash with if your power goes out. But mostly, look after each other, and if you keep power, be the one to let people in.

It's kind of like putting together a football team for the course of the year. Being prepared and being together is the only way to do any of this.

Onto the mail, because it's still coming. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed questions. Herodotus was an intern on Dom Capers' first staff here, after all.

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My question is: What are reasonable expectations for the Panthers in 2026? We have had three game improvements in wins each of the past three years, but we have a "first-place schedule" in 2026. The other NFC South teams also have chances to improve and get a theoretically easier schedule. I know we have a number of offensive line free agents, but several of them may not be guys other teams would consider "top of the line" additions to their team, but we consider important to us. I trust our front office team to create some cap space, and I trust our scouting department to do a good job at assembling a wise draft board, but given all these factors, can we get 10-plus wins, or is just matching this year's record a worthwhile accomplishment? — Bob, Aurora, CO

Oh, Bob, there is a lot to unpack here, and this gives me a chance to do one of my favorite things — be pedantic about minutiae.

The mythology of the "first-place schedule" is one of those boogeymen people get scared of and talk way too much about. That's because the NFL's schedule rotation means that the four teams in each division play 14 games against the same set of teams. Only three games change based on division standings, so if you get lucky, it might not be much of an advantage or disadvantage at all. And with division winners, since they were already good, it's more likely that teams will be worse rather than better because of the year-to-year variance of a league built to create parity.

The top teams in the eight divisions in 2024 were 21 games worse overall in 2025, so if you caught Kansas City without Pat Mahomes (15-2 to 6-11), Detroit without both coordinators and a lot of the mojo (15-2 to 9-8), or Baltimore without Lamar Jackson (12-5 to 8-9), it might not be the curse you thought it was.

But the division winners from 2023 were only two games worse as a whole in 2024, an unusually even distribution. But that still included big swings because of injury in San Francisco (12-5 to 6-11) and Dallas (12-5 to 7-10).

Looking back, the 2022 division winners were 17 games worse in 2023, and the 2021 versions were 16 games worse in 2022, which bolsters the reality that first-place schedules aren't always the hurdle they're perceived to be.

Next year in the NFC South, all four teams play each other, and the entire AFC North and NFC North. Then they play the corresponding-place teams in the NFC West and AFC West, along with the NFC East. So the Panthers get the Seahawks, Broncos, and Eagles, while the Bucs get the Rams, Chargers, and Cowboys; the Falcons get the 49ers, Chiefs, and Commanders; and the Saints get the Cardinals, Raiders, and Giants. You think the Falcons think they got a break by getting the third-place Chiefs?

You can't predict the randomness of injuries, so if, heaven forbid, Sam Darnold or Jalen Hurts get hurt, or the Giants get a big bounce out of John Harbaugh or the Raiders out of Fernando Mendoza, those schedules might not be appreciably different. That's how it works.

As to the rest of the question, it's incumbent upon the Panthers to continue to build. One of Bryce Young's favorite Bryce-isms is "we're not entitled to anything," so expecting 11 wins just because they've gone from two to five to eight is not how this works.

The Panthers have to work to progress at the same rate, and they're planning on it and have a plan. But things still have to break their way. Now that the Panthers are back to the NFL's great middle and have become normal again, the year-to-year bounces come from key additions and good health. They were fortunate in both areas this year, and if they continue to be, it's reasonable to think they'll enter the season with an expectation to compete for the division rather than surprising people by getting there.

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With the draft right around the corner, do we again get Bryce more help on offense, or do we finally go defense in the first round? Personally, I think Kenyon Sadiq would be a great pickup, but we can't ignore a splash player on defense. — Adam, Bismarck, ND

Oh yeah, it's draft talk time. And getting to start that in late January and not mid-October is one of the best parts of the Panthers' recent improvements.

Here's the thing, though: a lot is going to change between now and the draft, and picking 19th, there's no way to predict what's happening in front of you. So my advice is to look at the whole board and think about multiple ways this thing can go.

The Panthers, for all the progress they made this year, still have a lot of needs, and that list got longer when Ikem Ekwonu suffered a torn patellar tendon against the Rams in the playoffs. Otherwise, most of the needs are on defense.

And say, for instance, they go out and sign a pass-rusher and a middle linebacker in free agency, then you can narrow the list a little. But here's the thing about picking later in the draft, you have to, have to, have to (that's three have tos) pick the best player in front of you rather than locking in on need.

When they traded back in 2007 from 14 to 25 and 59, middle linebacker and center weren't at the top of their needs list, because they still had Dan Morgan, and had just signed center Justin Hartwig the year before. But when then-GM Marty Hurney turned that into Jon Beason and Ryan Kalil, that decision paid dividends for years to come.

The best player to pick is the best player. You'll figure out where to put him once he gets here.

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First-time/long-time here. What emphasis do you think Dave Canales and Dan Morgan put on the TE position? Moreover, could you see someone like Sadiq being on their mind in round one of the draft to add more talent there?

Former fourth-round picks are on a similar trajectory.

Ja'Tavion Sanders first two seasons: 62-532-2
Ian Thomas first two seasons: 52-469-3

Tommy Tremble would cost us $2M in dead cap but save us $4M in 2026. Any chance we keep Mitchell Evans (18-166-2TD) as Tremble's (24-211-1TD) heir apparent and snag a more electric option in the draft? Rather than adding a WR in the draft….again, we would still land an additional receiving option for Bryce. — Bryan, Seattle, WA

Look at this, my man Bryan's coming in here with research and some down-the-line thinking. I dig it. Now, JT and Ian are different players (Thomas was much more of a blocker, and Sanders a more fluid receiver), but I think the larger point is that it's too soon to write off Sanders, and stacking good players there couldn't hurt.

A tight end would be cool, because there are a lot of things you can do with them. The Rams are darlings of the football cognoscenti at the moment because they'll use three at a time. The Panthers were going to do that more against the Seahawks until Sanders broke his ankle on the first play of the game, when he was out there with Tremble and Evans. The intent was to run right at a really good Seattle defense and attack it the way the Rams had. And it might have worked. We'll never know.

The Rams used three-tight end sets (13 personnel if you're into football jargon) more than any team in the league during the regular season, at 30.5 percent. The Steelers were second at 13.2 percent. The Panthers used it sixth-most in the league, at 7.6 percent. But it's clearly something they were thinking about using more in the future, because the smart way to do business is look at your roster and lean into the things you have more of.

And while I'd be pretending to possess insight I do not to offer an educated opinion on Sadiq right now, a top tight end would be another tool for the offensive toolbox. They just give you so many options on offense, because they come in such a wide variety. That's why offensive play-callers love them, because you can mix and match personnel, and run the same plays out of completely different looks.

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Darin, first off, thank you, as a West Virginian, we don't have a home state team. Most people I know have adopted the Steelers or the Bengals, but in 1995, when Charlotte got a new team, at the ripe old age of 12, I decided I was a Panthers fan and would be forever. And I have been, through trials and tribulations, my wife and I try to catch at least one home game a year, and it's become a family thing, bringing my kids we all look forward to the yearly trips. Anyway, sorry about so much background, but I just wanted you to know that in the last 15 or so years, I don't know a long time, I've not missed a Mailbag. I really enjoy hearing about your thoughts and insights. So I just wanted to say thanks. I would have written into the Mailbag more. I often have questions, but the one thing I never saw on the Mailbag was an address to actually make submissions lol. I'm definitely an outlier. I do have a Facebook page, but I'm not on it much, and I just don't do X or Twitter (whatever). I just think most of it is pure angry vitriol, and I have enough of that in my life, lol.

Anyway, if this is the one time I can send you something, I just wanted to say thanks, I really enjoy your insights, and as I root for the Panthers to do, to you, sir, I say, KEEP POUNDING!!!!!!! — Derrick, Hurricane, WV

I appreciate you, Derrick. There's a box that's usually at the bottom of every Mailbag that, if you click on it, will take you to the submission page. Which you obviously found, because this letter was in my box this week. Congratulations. There's also this link.

And we'll be here for you throughout the offseason with all the latest, on all the platforms. I've also begun weaning myself off Twitter, because it's not as much fun for me anymore. I still post work stuff there, but am definitely spending less time. When I was a younger man, if I saw a bar full of people, I'd assume it was happening and check it out. Now, if I walk into a bar and see it's full of angry jerks, I'd rather go to a quieter place where fewer people are being nicer. So if you still need a social fix, you can also find me at BlueSky (@daringantt.bsky.social). It's growing for me, still a tenth of the Twitter audience, but I enjoy the experience 100 times more. No platform that allows human beings is ever going to be perfect, but some are better than others, and I've made the choice to create less content for places that A) I don't make money from, and B) actively make my life worse. But people can do as they please; it's a big internet. I'm also becoming more Instagram-curious. Look at me stepping into the 20th century.

And again, when you see this box, click on it, and I'm always an email away. I always read those.

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I'm from North Carolina and have been a loyal Panthers fan since day one, so I sure did enjoy wearing my Panthers shirt in a Buccaneer household. (Don't worry, my wife forgave me.) Anyway, my question might answer itself without you having to even comment, but are we getting one more Mailbag before the offseason break? You know, just to relish how far we've come and how we played a close playoff game against a worthy opponent. #KeepPounding! — Michael, Wesley Chapel, FL

Michael, the Mailbag persists. We had you last week, and there was so much leftover mail, we had plenty for this week as well.

(And if you think she liked your Panthers shirt, wait until she sees you in your new Friend Of The Mailbag gear for being this week's FOTM.)

As the weeks go by, we might not be weekly until we get closer to free agency in March, but as long as there's stuff to talk about and people submit questions, we'll answer them.

And as you've learned, no question is too obscure. In fact, the obscurer the better.

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How many people can talk to Bryce in his helmet at one time, and who are they most likely to be? Head coach, offensive coordinator, play caller (obviously), David Tepper (just kidding). Who else? Can he talk back to them, or is it strictly a one-way conversation? How much time in between plays is his helmet speaker open, and at what point does it finally shut off so Bryce can do what he does? Quick shoutout to Don in Trinity, NC. #KeepPounding GO PANTHERS! — Jeff, Concord, NC

See what I mean, this is a question that's perfect for the offseason, and not just because it gives me an excuse to hang out with my guys in the equipment room and learn something new. (Also, if you were ever going to be trapped anywhere in a blizzard, the equipment room is the place. They have clothes and supplies and are always prepared for anything that might come up. Plus, they're just delightful human beings.)

Every quarterback's helmet has an earpiece that allows them to hear play calls.

These come from the play-caller only (in this case, Dave Canales), and it's a one-way channel. No other voices in the quarterback's head, and he can't talk back. There's not a lot of time for conversation anyway.

The channel is open from the end of the previous play until the play-clock hits 15 seconds. At that point, the league has an official in the press box who shuts down the channel. So you've got to send in your instructions, and do it promptly.

The same is true for linebackers who call the defensive signals. They'll get their orders from the defensive coordinator, and at 15 seconds, it goes radio silent, and they relay to the huddle.

They still have a system of signals if the radios fail, or they could just do what my middle school team did and run plays from the sideline, changing personnel every play. (And at my middle school, the play was practically always "Hand it to Ferguson," which made it easier to remember.)

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You are probably getting bombarded with questions about the playoffs and also about getting one of the recently fired coaches to come here as an OC, but I am not going to hit you with that flavor. My question is about the medical facilities at the stadium - what equipment and personnel do the Panthers have at the stadium for medical issues (MRI machines, X-ray machines, physical therapists, etc.), which need moderate diagnosis and/or non-surgical treatment? That staff, especially the training staff folks, have to be some of the most underrated peeps there (outside of the equipment managers). — Ben, Alpharetta, GA

Oh, no doubt. Vice president of player health and performance Denny Kellington, and his staff do an amazing job keeping players well and getting them back to health (and they also have a staff clinician for players' mental health needs — Dr. Joanne Perry is a benefit to the entire building as well, because they're caring for the entire human being).

GM Dan Morgan mentioned that in his end-of-year press conference, noting that they went from the bottom half of the league in player-games lost to the top half of the league this year. Some of that is good fortune, and aside from some big catastrophic injuries, they were largely healthy in the playoffs, which is remarkable.

As far as the stuff they have in the building, there's an X-ray machine right next to the tunnel on the way to the locker room. Any other advanced imaging, like an MRI, is a short ride down Morehead at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.

They have a meeting before every game, going over their plans for anything that can happen, and have ambulances on scene in case they need to get anyone more advanced care quickly. Kellington was part of one of those in Buffalo a few years ago, and being prepared for any eventuality is close to his heart.

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And on that note, let's go lightning round, brought to you by the patron saint of the lightning round Jeff from Fuquay-Varina, to close it out this week.

Good afternoon and happy new year, Uncle Darin! As a FOTM, I know a thing or two about friendship. I have the shirt that proves it. And with my little eye, I spy a friendship forming on the team. I see Tre'von Moehrig and Lathan Ransom together in pictures and such. Am I correct in my assumption? I know they play the same position, so of course they're near each other, but has Tre'von been instrumental in Ransom's development as a mentor? Any other friendships I have missed, and you'd like to speak on? Thanks, D. — Cody, Four Oaks, NC

I think because this team is still so very young, there is a vibe being built, and there's a lot of that. Ransom's got some serious puppy energy, and having Moehrig and Nick Scott around to train him is key.

But there's a lot of that going on, from old guys like Andy Dalton and JJ Jansen talking about dad stuff, Brady Christensen and Austin Corbett raising boys together who have become BFFs themselves, to the eternal buddy cop movie that is Chuba Hubbard and Tommy Tremble.

Have you noticed the five different times Bryce Young has been under center in recent games and then was stepped on by Panthers offensive linemen after the ball was snapped, causing loss of yards and potentially ball possession? This problem can be easily remedied by making sure the QB, when under center, has his feet inside the width of his shoulders. On each of Bryce's "stepped ons," his feet were wider than shoulder width, closer to the feet of OLs, and stepped on as the OLs pulled or made drop steps. I had the privilege of coaching football for a LONG time, and we always coached this QB feet alignment technique. Bryce!! Get your feet together when under center and step away from LOS. — Greg, Fort Mill, SC

Coaching points, even in the offseason. Duly noted and passed along.

This brings new meaning to Ron Rivera's classic "be where your feet are."

Beyond the usual, what's in your blizzard survival kit? — Will, Rock Hill, SC

We are well-stocked for at least eight days inside the home (a case of Vienna sausage, bottle of bourbon, a few of my cold friends from Wisconsin). After that, all bets are off, and my wife's dogs better not get too comfortable.

What's the best question someone has ever asked you? — Zach, Charlotte, NC

This one, because it's the last one this week, allowing me to get to the Harris Teeter to pick through the leftovers.

Seriously, the best questions are the short ones. Under 10 words or 10 seconds is perfect. If it takes 30 seconds or more, that's not a question, that's a soliloquy. You're not looking for an answer, you're looking for an audience.

One of my personal favorites is "Tell me more," which isn't a question per se, but it serves the purpose of inviting an expanded response.

But if you're Ken Jennings and absolutely need it in the form of a question, how about "Why don't you GET BACK TO CLASS, ZACH?" No snow days for you.