The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL in 2023. If week one is any indication, not much has changed in 2024.

Carolina traveled to New Orleans for its season opener and was soundly beaten in a game that saw the Saints lead 17-0 in the first quarter and 30-0 in the second. The final score of 47-10 actually looked closer than the game really was because the Saints let off the gas in the second half.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is looking more and more like a draft flop. The first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young had an ugly rookie season and played poorly again today, with some terrible passes that a top second-year pick shouldn’t be making. Sometimes when a highly drafted young quarterback struggles, you can say that while he has the physical tools, he just hasn’t learned to play at the NFL level yet, but Young seems to lack the physical tools to be a franchise quarterback.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr played well, completing 19 of 23 passes for 200 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Alvin Kamara had 15 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown.

But this game seemed to say more about the Panthers than the Saints. Carolina still has a long, long way to go. And they may be missing their franchise quarterback.