Carolina Panthers playoff odds are a stark reminder of what still needs to be done in 2024

There are several reasons to be optimistic about the 2024 Carolina Panthers. 

However, The Athletic is seeing none of them. 

Following the release of the 2024 schedule, The Athletic put together playoff odds and projections for all 32 teams. And in the outlet's projections, Carolina was given a 7.3% chance at even making the playoffs. Ouch. 

The odds get even worse when looking at the prospect of making a Super Bowl. To do that, The Atheltic gave the Panthers a 0.1% chance. 

The only team with worse odds than the Panthers is the Washington Commanders, who are going through a wealth of change. 

For Carolina, much of the concern is the unknown. The team replaced Frank Reich with Dave Canales, the coach who helped rebuild Baker Mayfield's career in Tampa Bay and Geno Smith's career in Seattle. 

Dan Morgan, the Panthers' new-look general manager, emphasized finding second-year quarterback Bryce Young adequate offensive help. Carolina traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Additionally, the franchise added wide receiver Xavier Legette in the draft. Young has a solid one-two punch in the passing game. 

On the offensive line, the Panthers added two big guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt. Both players will help keep Young upright. That is what will make all the difference. It is safe to say that the Panthers won't be an out-right elite team in 2024, but it could be a feisty team that odds-makers are a bit too low on. 

The playoff odds are not where Carolina wants them to be. However, it should serve as a reminder that the Panthers till need to prove the team is no longer the doormat of the NFC South.