Is it time to pay Bryce Young? Today on the TGOR Podcast we dig into the report that the Carolina Panthers are "far down the road" on an extension for their quarterback worth more than $50 million a year, and we put the numbers on the table so you can decide for yourself.

Through seven starts in 2026, Bryce has 1,921 passing yards, 274 per game, with 13 touchdowns, five interceptions, 7.1 yards per attempt and an 89.2 passer rating. That's the best seven-start stretch of his career by a mile, 633 yards ahead of his previous best, with two 300-yard games already. But the last two weeks against Tampa Bay and Green Bay were rough: 372 yards, three interceptions, a lost fumble and 11 sacks. Carolina already picked up his fifth-year option back in April. So do you pay him now, or make him prove it through December?

Then we hear from cornerback Mike Jackson, who told the Mac & Bone Show on WFNZ that his return from injured reserve is "getting close." He's out Sunday against Denver, but he says a return in the next couple of weeks is realistic. Jackson talked about handing his offseason receiver notes to rookie Will Lee III, how Ejiro Evero's firing hit him, what Todd Wash and DeAngelo Hall bring to the room, and his Thanksgiving drive-thru turkey giveaway in Charlotte this Saturday.

Jackson also made it clear: when he comes back, he's still playing off coverage, because that's how he caught five picks. We pair that with former Panthers safety Xavier Woods breaking down press vs. off, Jaycee Horn vs. Mike Jackson, and why single-high looks leave Carolina's corners on an island.

Next, the Week 9 Wednesday injury report. Jaelan Phillips, Will Lee III, Damien Lewis and Bobby Okereke did not practice for Carolina. Bryce Young was a full participant with his ankle. On the Denver side, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones all sat, which could open things up for Bryce and Tetairoa McMillan on Sunday.

Finally, the rumor mill with six days until the trade deadline. A report says the Jacksonville Jaguars called about Derrick Brown, though there's no sign Carolina wants to move him. Ja'Tavion Sanders trade chatter continues, and ESPN's Aaron Schatz floated a deal for Jets safety Andre Cisco to help a defense that ranks 21st in DVOA against deep passes.

Question of the day: Bryce at $50M+ a year. Pay him now, or make him prove it through December? Tell us in the comments.

The Panthers host the Broncos on Sunday at 1 p.m. Keep Pounding.

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The Carolina Panthers are 3-4, have lost two straight, and are somehow still sitting on top of the NFC South. Coming out of the bye, the defense has been torn down to the studs, and tonight on the TGOR Podcast we break down every piece of it.

Segment 1: Defense blown up. The Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley the day after the 27-19 loss in Green Bay. Defensive line coach Todd Wash takes over as interim defensive coordinator and will call plays. The changes didn't stop there. DeAngelo Hall is back on staff as cornerbacks coach, linebackers assistant Mayur Chaudhari is no longer with the team, and practice squad corner Robert Rochell, who came with Evero and Cooley from Los Angeles, was waived. We also get into Bobby Brown III's comments that players are "puppets" no matter the scheme. Was the scheme really the problem, or was it a secondary that ended Green Bay with third-string corners on the field?

Segment 2: Practice report. Jaelan Phillips and Jaycee Horn were working on the side. Xavier Legette, Jonathon Brooks and Mike Jackson got work in. A.J. Dillon is back practicing. Damien Lewis wasn't seen, Will Lee III is day to day with a hamstring, and Taylor Moton remains on injured reserve. We also cover the practice squad swap that brought in linebacker Mohamoud Diabate and sent out Maema Njongmeta.

Segment 3: My starting five. The current line is Rasheed Walker, Damien Lewis, Luke Fortner, Rob Hunt and Monroe Freeling. Here's how I'd fix it: Freeling to left tackle, Sam Hecht at center and Brady Christensen at right tackle, with Lewis and Hunt staying at guard.

Segment 4: Projected defense. Based on the latest depth chart and injury news, we project who lines up for Todd Wash's first game, from Derrick Brown and Tershawn Wharton up front to Chau Smith-Wade and Will Lee III at corner, plus who's next up if the banged-up guys can't go.

Segment 5: The rumor mill. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET. We separate fact from speculation: cornerback names floated by CBS Sports, Bleacher Report listing Carolina as a fit for Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler, and the case that Dan Morgan stands pat with limited cap space. Does a 3-4 division leader buy, sell or hold?

Segment 6: Broncos next. The 6-2 Denver Broncos come to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 8. Carolina opens as a three-point home underdog, and it's the first game with Todd Wash calling the defense.

Segment 7: NFC South check. Panthers 3-4, Buccaneers 3-5, Falcons 3-5, Saints 2-5. Tampa is 2-0 in the division and only a half game back. We look at what the race means for Carolina down the stretch.

Your turn: Is firing Evero enough to save this defense? Drop your answer in the comments.

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The Carolina Panthers lost two straight, fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and somehow still sit alone in first place in the NFC South at 3-4. On today's Two Growls One Roar podcast we break down a wild week in Charlotte and what it means heading into Sunday's home game against the Denver Broncos.

Segment 1: The 4-3 question. Evero ran a 3-4 base. Interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash ran a 4-3 base as the Jaguars' coordinator from 2016 to 2020 and built three top-10 defenses there. NFL.com expects more four-man fronts now that Wash is calling it, but a full scheme switch eight weeks into the season would be a big ask. With the run defense ranked 30th, 258 rushing yards allowed to the Bucs and 12 games of 200-plus rushing yards allowed under Evero, something has to change up front. How far should Wash go?

Segment 2: Dave Canales' press conference today. Canales called it a heavy weekend, spent it locked in with Wash and the defensive staff building a plan for the final 10 games, and described the move as a personal loss. He met with the leadership council, talked about the locker room's reaction, and reminded everyone the Panthers are in first with everything in front of them. We also run through Evero's numbers: hired in 2023, extended through 2027 last January, and a 2026 defense allowing 27.6 points per game with just 11 sacks.

Segment 3: DeAngelo Hall is back. The Panthers hired the 14-year NFL cornerback, three-time Pro Bowler and 43-interception ballhawk to coach corners for the rest of the season. He was on staff in 2023 and 2024, he lives right here in Charlotte, and Canales says he values Hall's willingness to challenge the status quo. With Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on IR, he has a lot of work to do.

Segment 4: Brady Christensen's 21-day practice window is open. He has 59 games, 34 starts and has started at every spot on the offensive line. Plus updates on Jaelan Phillips, Will Lee III, Xavier Legette and Jonathon Brooks.

Segment 5: The offensive line. Bryce Young was sacked six times, hit nine times and pressured on nearly half his dropbacks at Green Bay. That's 11 sacks in two games with Taylor Moton done for the year, Ikem Ekwonu still out and Damien Lewis inactive. Where does Brady Christensen fit?

Segment 6: NFC South standings and the Broncos. Tampa Bay beat Atlanta 16-0 without completing a pass, Carolina stays on top, and Denver comes to Bank of America Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m.

Question of the day: should Todd Wash go full 4-3 against Denver, or stay hybrid? Drop your answer in the comments.

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