The Carolina Panthers are 1-5. They are in the midst of another disastrous season that has promised much but delivered very little so far. Things don't appear to be getting better any time soon, although general manager Dan Morgan claims it's more of a retool than a complete rebuild.

There are significant deficiencies. Carolina's defense is pathetic, unable to stop the run or create pressure. The offense has improved slightly, but head coach Dave Canales remains hesitant to fully rely on the ground game. This was evident in a pivotal moment during the Panthers' loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.

Andy Dalton replaced Bryce Young after just two weeks. He provided a level of calm and confident presence in the crowd that was sorely lacking. The players reacted positively and rallied around the experienced signal caller. However, with another losing year imminent, some fans are already calling for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to be brought back into focus.

That won't be this weekend. Canales explained that Dalton will start again in Week 7 with the Washington Commanders. While rookie sensation Jayden Daniels presents a great challenge, their secondary is weak and can be exposed if they are effectively contained. This should be another decent afternoon at the office for the TCU product. Whether it's enough for the Panthers to achieve an unlikely triumph is another question.

If the Panthers continue to lose, they will need to start planning for the future. This is crucial, especially if team owner David Tepper gives Canales assurances about his job status beyond the campaign. Give young people a chance as part of their ongoing assessments, whether they are good or bad. The powers that be will then have a better understanding of where this roster is and what is still needed before the 2025 offseason.

Those possible plans should include taking another look at Young at some point. The Panthers were right to take him out of the firing line and give him time to regain his confidence. At the same time, they have to figure out if there is anything to salvage or if the organization is looking for another signal-caller next spring.

Canales may have already decided on Young. His actions with the player don't exactly inspire confidence for the future. However, this was a significant investment by the Panthers — one that was sparked by Tepper's impatience when former general manager Scott Fitterer was hesitant about paying compensation. That's the main reason he'll get another chance if Carolina has nothing but pride.

It will be interesting to see how Canales approaches this matter. Young's installation could bust the locker room and be seen as waving the white flag. That's the best way to lose faith, but the Panthers may have no alternative if they can't pick up a few more wins.

Young will be on the bench for the foreseeable future. However, if the Panthers' winning streak continues, don't be surprised if he isn't introduced until after the Panthers' bye week.

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