Where do playoff-less Panthers go from here?

After a heartbreaking loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday, the Carolina Panthers find themselves in an awkward haze of a future. Even with one more game remaining, there are so many questions that need to be answered and there is a multitude of roads they could go down.

As for that final outing, interim head coach Steve Wilks has already made it clear that his team will be leaving everything out on the field for their Week 18 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Draft position be damned—it’ll be a proving ground for many players and coaches, who can either boost or hurt their chances at being part of the plan moving forward.

That, of course, includes Wilks himself. While he’s clearly one of the top candidates for the head-coaching gig, he could face some outside competition during owner David Tepper’s search.

Another position that Carolina has had trouble nailing down is, obviously, the one under center. Not since Cam Newton’s prime have the Panthers had a formidable quarterback.

Amazingly enough, Sam Darnold—who has played perhaps the best ball of his career in 2022—may factor into 2023. He posted a passer rating of at least 100.0 in four of his five starts—completing 61.6 percent of his throws for 1,100 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception.

The fifth-year veteran was a huge part in the revitalization of what was a dead season early on. If he can put up similar numbers and show the continued growth in their final week, he could make a pitch for a lifeline next season if they don’t wipe the board completely.

There will be a lot of questions answered in the near future for the Panthers, none of them easy. While they do have some talented young pillars to build around, this team still needs answers at the two most important positions in the game.

But one thing is for certain—if this coaching job comes open to anyone but Wilks, it could be the most attractive opening of the offseason.