The Panthers took a nosedive after a 3-0 start, finishing 5-11. Sam Darnold showed early promise that he can turn things around, but faded fast. Joe Brady, fresh off of a title season at LSU with Joe Burrow, was abruptly fired from his position at offensive coordinator. Matt Rhule remains the head coach, though one can say it was a close call for him—fans were chanting "Fire Rhule!", even at Hornets games.
To address the weaknesses on offense last season, they brought in two proven starters in Austin Corbett and Bradley Bozeman, and drafted Ikem Ekwonu. The right tackle spot is the only spot that is secure with Taylor Moton, and the front office beleives that Brady Christensen is a starter, but doesn't know where he would line up. Since Ekwonu will be the starter at left tackle, Christensen could easily be moved to left guard.
The big trade was for Baker Mayfield. While he showed flashes, the quarterback dilemma has yet to be solved. It's expected that he wins the starting job over Darnold, but he has a long way to go to revive his career. If he does reach his ceiling, then getting Mayfield for practically nothing would REALLY pay off for the Panthers big time.
While they weren't good last season, they excelled defensively, ranking second in yards given up. Despite the losses of Stephon Gilmore, Haason Reddick, and Jermaine Carter Jr., this defense should still be a reason for Panthers fans to be excited, especially with the return of Jaycee Horn.
Overall, it's going to be a strange season for the Panthers. There were trade rumors involving Christian McCaffrey, who has played just 10 of the team's last 33 games. The fans want Rhule out, and he has five years left on a seven-year contract. And Darnold will make $18.858 million to most likely watch Mayfield from the sidelines.
Simply put, they're stuck in a limbo. David Tepper and co. tried building quickly, and that didn't work. Even a patient approach could mean a new GM, coach, and QB if another rough season happens.
Draft Picks
Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
1 | 6 | OT | Ikem Ekwonu | NC State |
3 | 94 | QB | Matt Corral | Ole Miss |
4 | 120 | ILB | Brandon Smith | Penn State |
6 | 189 | ILB | Amaré Barno | Virginia Tech |
6 | 199 | OG | Cade Mays | Tennessee |
7 | 242 | CB | Kalon Barnes | Baylor |
Key Losses
CB Stephon Gilmore: Signed with Colts
LB Haason Reddick: Signed with Eagles
CB AJ Bouye: Unsigned free agent
ILB Jermaine Carter Jr.: Signed with Chiefs
DT DaQuan Jones: Signed with Bills
DE Morgan Fox: Signed with Chargers
CB Rashaan Melvin: Retired
RB/RS Ameer Abdullah: Signed with Raiders
C Matt Paradis: Unsigned free agent
OG John Miller: Unsigned free agent
QB Cam Newton: Unsigned free agent
Key Additions & Extensions
QB Baker Mayfield: Acquired via trade from Browns
OG Austin Corbett: 3-year deal, $26.25 million
C Bradley Bozeman: 1-year deal, $2.8 million
P Johnny Hekker: 3-year deal, $7.6 million
FS Xavier Woods: 3-year deal, $15.75 million
DT Matt Ioannidis: 1-year deal, $9.5 million
ILB Damien Wilson: 2-year deal, $6.9 million
ILB Cory Littleton: 1-year deal, $2.6 million
WR Rashard Higgins: 1-year deal, $1.1 million
WR/RS Andre Roberts: 1-year deal, $1.7 million
Biggest Questions
How much longer will Matt Rhule last in Carolina?
Can Christian McCaffrey stay healthy for the entire season?
Can Baker Mayfield bounce back after a rough 2021?
Will Robby Anderson rebound this season?
Will Jaycee Horn bounce back after missing most of last season?
Schedule
Week 1: Sunday, 9/11, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 2: Sunday, 9/18, at New York Giants, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 3: Sunday, 9/25, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 4: Sunday, 10/2, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 PM on FOX
Week 5: Sunday, 10/9, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 PM on CBS
Week 6: Sunday, 10/16, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 PM on FOX
Week 7: Sunday, 10/23, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 8: Sunday, 10/30, at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 9: Sunday, 11/6, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 10: Thursday, 11/10, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:15 PM on AMAZON PRIME
Week 11: Sunday, 11/20, at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 12: Sunday, 11/27, vs. Denver Broncos, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 13: BYE WEEK
Week 14: Sunday, 12/11, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 15: Sunday, 12/18, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 16: Saturday, 12/24, vs. Detroit Lions, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 17: Sunday, 1/1, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 18: 1/7 or 1/8, at New Orleans Saints, Time and network TBD
Projected Starters
1 RB 3 WR 1 TE Offense
Position | # | Player |
QB | 6 | Baker Mayfield |
RB | 22 | Christian McCaffrey |
WR | 2 | DJ Moore |
WR | 3 | Robby Anderson |
WR | 17 | Rashard Higgins |
TE | 80 | Ian Thomas |
LT | 79 | Ikem Ekwonu |
LG | 70 | Brady Christensen |
C | 56 | Bradley Bozeman |
RG | 63 | Austin Corbett |
RT | 72 | Taylor Moton |
Base 4-3 Defense
Position | # | Player |
DE | 53 | Brian Burns |
DT | 95 | Derrick Brown |
DT | 99 | Matt Ioannidis |
DE | 97 | Yetur Gross-Matos |
LB | 7 | Shaq Thompson |
LB | 57 | Damien Wilson |
LB | 55 | Cory Littleton |
CB | 26 | Donte "Action" Jackson |
SS | 21 | Jeremy Chinn |
FS | 20 | Xavier Woods |
CB | 8 | Jaycee Horn |
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