Our 2022 NFL Preview returns south to check in on the Panthers, who have reached a crucial year for many individuals within the organization. After missing the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season, the heat is on (Head Coach) Matt Rhule, who avoided the chopping block following a second straight 5-win campaign. However, there is room for optimism in Charlotte, as the franchise hopes to have finally found a Quarterback to lead them, adding former Browns leading man, Baker Mayfield via trade with Cleveland. Will the former no. one overall pick be the answer to what ails them? This move could seriously make or break these cats, folks…
The Quarterback Carousel
It’s 2022 and we all know that the NFL is officially a Quarterback-driven league, in the sense that if you have a good one, then you have a chance to win, and if you happen to have a great one, then you can go on to do big things. However, if you’re one of those few unfortunate teams that have neither, then…. well, you get what we’re saying, right? And this is where the Panthers have found themselves over the past few years, sputtering a 15-34 record since 2019 with six different QBs starting during that period. The first season of Rhule’s reign saw Teddy Bridgewater keep Carolina in games, but regularly fail to put them over the top. Former third overall pick, Sam Darnold, was expected to resurrect his career after three particularly rough years with the Jets, but all he did was squander a tepid start to throw more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (9) before being benched for over five weeks. After failing to attract the attention of any of the high-profile passers that changed residences or may have been available this past offseason (I.E. Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo, etc.), it appeared that Rhule & Co. would have to run it back with Darnold, before eventually striking a deal for Mayfield, who desperately wanted out of Cleveland. Though he certainly has his detractors, the former Pro-Bowler is clearly an upgrade over Darnold, with just about everyone in the football world expecting him to beat out the guy who as drafted two picks behind him back in 2018. If Mayfield can play like he did two years ago (26 TD, 8 INT, 65.5 QBR), then Carolina has enough talent around hm to well outperform expectations and challenge for a Wild Card, but if he’s the guy who struggled throughout 2021 with injuries (17 TD, 13 INT, 35.1 QBR), then this is a franchise that could be heading towards a serious reset, with the 27-year-old once again looking for a new place to call home.
A (Necessary) Return to Form
With a lot riding on the impact that Mayfield will make this season, a good way to get the most out of the Quarterback would be a return to form from Christian McCaffrey, who has rarely been on the field over the past two years. After leading the league in total touches (403), yards from scrimmage (2,392), and touchdowns (19) in 2019, the versatile Tailback has been relegated to just ten games over the last two seasons, suffering a variety of injuries along the way. Needless to say, A LOT of what the Panthers have planned to do offensively has revolved around having a healthy McCaffrey making the plays out of the Backfield, with his ability to exploit mismatches creating a wealth of opportunities in the passing game. On paper, Carolina possesses a number of talents on the offensive side of the football, including Receivers, D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson, who combined for 146 receptions, 1,676 yards, and nine touchdowns last season, with the former just waiting to erupt with a proper Quarterback to throw him the football. After bolstering the Offensive Line in the offseason, Rhule only really needs a QB to unlock it all, and if McCaffrey can return to form, then the likelihood of Mayfield reverting to his Pro-Bowl form of 2020 increases exponentially. Unfortunately, that’s a mighty big IF, for the knock on the ball-carrier coming out of college was that at 5′-11″, 205 lbs, he was too slight to last very long running between the tackles. This is his opportunity to prove those naysayers wrong, which just adds yet another player with a chip on his shoulder to a team that already has plenty of them.
Rhule(d) Out?
When he was hired from Baylor three years ago, Matt Rhule carried the reputation of being a builder, having completely rebuilt Temple and the Bears in a truncated period of time. The Panthers were enticed by his CV and made him their man to oversee what was a team that in need of serious renovation and made their intent of giving him the time needed to do so public, signing him to an eight-year deal. Though his charges made an immediate improvement on the defensive side of the football, going from thirty-first in total defense to fifteenth, the offense has been a far more difficult nut to crack. As we’ve covered already, the situation at Quarterback coupled with injuries to McCaffrey has completely derailed their plans for the attack, with the acquisition of Darnold looking like a stain on his portfolio. Following a Summer in which the 47-year-old has drawn the ire of the fan base and media, (Owner) David Tepper has proceeded to provide that dreaded “vote of confidence” moving forward, which means that his days could very well be numbered. However, having a solid Quarterback makes a world of difference, and the aforementioned Mayfield has proven that he can be better than solid provided he has the supporting cast to do so. This is a team that is desperate for a signal-caller with the playmaking skills and personality of the Heisman-winner, and if everything works out, then the third year could indeed be the charm for Rhule & Co, rewarding the patience of Tepper in the process. If there happens to be a failure to launch under Center, then it’s very realistic that the skipper doesn’t last through the campaign.
Projected Finish: 8-9
With the addition of Mayfield coupled with a relatively easy schedule (certainly in the early stages), the Panthers should manage to surpass that dreaded five-win threshold that has been their ceiling over the past three seasons, but any challenge for a Wild Card will likely hinge on the health of Mcaffrey. Simply put, when he’s healthy, he can affect the attack in a plethora of ways, but when he’s not, this group doesn’t appear nearly as formidable. Though it’s a marked improvement over the last two years, will eight wins be enough to save Rhule’s job? Stay tuned, folks…