Panthers coach after brawl leads to multiple ejections: ‘Have to maintain our composure’

Panthers coach after brawl leads to multiple ejections: ‘Have to maintain our composure’

Panthers coach after brawl leads to multiple ejections: ‘Have to maintain our composure’

Panthers coach after brawl leads to multiple ejections: ‘Have to maintain our composure’

Panthers coach after brawl leads to multiple ejections: ‘Have to maintain our composure’

Carolina’s Jaycee Horn ejected after fourth-quarter scrum

WBTV Sports
Published: Oct. 7, 2024 at 9:09 AM EDT
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CHICAGO (WBTV) – Following another beatdown on Sunday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said his players need to “maintain our composure” after a fourth-quarter brawl saw multiple players get ejected during their loss to the Chicago Bears.

The fight broke out with just over four minutes to play after Bears running back Roschon Johnson pushed through the line of scrimmage for a 1-yard touchdown. Johnson’s score put Chicago up 36-10, and came one play after Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn was called for pass interference on third-and-goal.

Had Horn not been penalized, the Bears likely would have been forced to try a field goal on fourth down. Instead, the penalty gave Chicago a fresh set of downs on the 1-yard line, allowing for the touchdown on the next play.

Once Johnson crossed the goal line, he celebrated with a little dance while a melee erupted behind him.

Fox Sports’ TV broadcast showed Horn in the middle of the scrum, and a replay showed him shove Bears offensive lineman Bill Murray. Several players joined in afterward, including members of both teams.

“We just have to continue to control our emotions in a really hard game,” Canales said in his postgame press conference. “Emotions run high right there. He was instigated, we can’t retaliate. They always catch the second person.”

Officials ejected Horn once the fight broke up, along with Bears offensive lineman Matt Pryor. Carolina’s DJ Johnson was called for unnecessary roughness but was not disqualified.

“The officials kind of saw all that happen and officiated it the proper way,” Canales said. “We just have to maintain our composure and know on a day like this, let’s finish with class. Let’s finish on our terms and then we’ll get back to work. As long as there’s time on the clock, let’s just play our kind of football. The guys played hard but we can take care of each other and those situations.”

Sunday’s brawl capped a frustrating day for the Panthers. The defense surrendered five touchdowns as it dealt with a host of injuries, while the offense committed three turnovers and converted on just 3 of 12 third-down attempts. Carolina also failed to convert on a fourth-down try that led to a touchdown 31 seconds later.

Amid the blowout, quarterback Bryce Young saw his first snaps since being benched after a dismal Week 2 showing. He was one of the few bright spots from Sunday’s loss, but his work came solely in garbage time.

Young’s first pass was a 27-yard strike to Miles Sanders, which he followed with a 16-yard completion immediately after. His lone drive, though, stalled when he was sacked on fourth down inside the Bears’ 10-yard line. Despite the good plays he made, Canales said veteran Andy Dalton will remain the starter when Carolina comes back home to play the Falcons this coming Sunday.

The Panthers left Chicago with a 1-4 record, putting them last in the division standings. They are one of seven teams with only one win this season. No teams are winless after Jacksonville beat Indianapolis on Sunday.

Related: Caleb Williams and DJ Moore lead the way in Bears’ 36-10 rout of Panthers

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