Biggest takeaways from the Panthers' Week 7 loss to Commanders

The Carolina Panthers hit a new low this season when they suffered an embarrassing 40-7 loss to the (mostly Jayden Daniels-less) Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Here are the key takeaways from the sixth defeat of the campaign:

Bryce Young should see the field again sooner rather than later

With Dalton now having thrown multiple interceptions in two straight games, it's time to start the conversation about getting the former No. 1 overall pick on the field.

There's no telling whether or not playing Young will change things for Carolina this season. However, it's worth a look.

A lot has changed since Week 3, when Canales decided to cut his young signal-caller. And after a 93-yard passing performance helped make the score 1-6, it's not like it could get any worse.

Young shined on his only drive against Chicago in Carolina's road loss two weeks ago and played again on Carolina's final offensive series on Sunday. He's still a talented quarterback and deserves a chance for the rest of his life, especially given Dalton's recent decline.

There's no right or wrong answer to how to approach this conundrum, but the outlook under center could change following the team's bye in Week 11.

The Panthers need to hit the reset button this offseason

Carolina has arguably the worst roster in the NFL, as evidenced by the worst point differential in the league (-133). (No team entering Sunday night's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets is anywhere near -100.)

Their lack of talent is particularly evident on defense, where numerous injuries have given way to numerous weaknesses. The Panthers have allowed the most points this season, leaving their offense little room for error.

If the Panthers want to build any hope of success and competitive football for the future, general manager Dan Morgan will need to rebuild their defensive trenches and overall strength within the program.

This won't be an easy solution. There's a good chance Carolina could be a sell at the Nov. 5 trade deadline, which could speed up the rebuilding process this offseason and allow them to quickly get younger through a variety of draft picks.

The Panthers are donating over $41 million in cap space – which can be increased to at least $70 million in just a few simple steps. They also have nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

There are a few core pieces on both sides of the ball that need to be retained – such as Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown, cornerback Jaycee Horn and guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. Still, they need to get younger, and a complete rebuild could allow the Panthers to take advantage.

Ja'Tavion Sanders and Charles Harris stand out

Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders had another productive outing. After amassing 49 yards in Week 6, he had six catches for 61 yards, showcasing receiving skills that made him an intriguing selection in April's draft.

One good performance after another allows the Panthers to continue their evaluation of the rookie class. First-round wide receiver Xavier Legette, linebacker Trevin Wallace and nickel back Chau Smith-Wade have shined all season, while second-round running back Jonathon Brooks awaits his debut a year after tearing his ACL at Texas.

Sanders proved to be dangerous in the final stages and when crossing in midfield. It wouldn't be a surprise if he made plays and remained productive all year long.

Edge rusher Charles Harris has become a pretty good complement for Morgan and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. He now leads the Panthers with 2.0 sacks and has shown he can continually pressure the quarterback.

It remains to be seen how things progress for both of them – especially in the case of Harris, who is looking for a place to stay for more than two years.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Biggest takeaways from Panthers' Week 7 loss to Commanders