Panthers: Captains not expected to change in 2018
Captains for the 2018 Carolina Panthers should be announced soon…
As the Carolina Panthers continue preparations for a Week 1 home game against the Dallas Cowboys, one important matter has yet to be determined. The captains for 2018 have not been officially announced although expectations are we will hear something from coach Ron Rivera prior to the weekend.
Typically an interesting topic of conversation for most NFL teams, the Panthers have had a steady string of captains for quite some time and no change is expected this season. Last year, safety Kurt Coleman emerged as a surprise honoree but was cut after the season and now plays for NFC South divisional rival New Orleans.
Due to injuries for captains Greg Olsen and Ryan Kalil last season, veteran defensive end Julius Peppers received a patch midway through the year. In his first season back with Carolina the future Hall of Fame member showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon, recording 11 sacks.
Expect Peppers to earn another “C” on his jersey this year from the start in addition to the following members who should continue in their leadership roles:
NAME, POSITION and NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE SEASONS:
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Thomas Davis, LB – 8
Ryan Kalil, C – 6
Cam Newton, QB – 6
Luke Kuechly, LB – 6
Greg Olsen, TE – 5
Julius Peppers, DE – 2
The only question mark would be Davis, who is suspended for the first four games of 2018 for violating the league policy on banned substances and failing a PED test. While the suspension shouldn’t impact his expected leadership role, the opportunity may be awarded to another candidate during his absence.
If so, safety Mike Adams would be a front-runner given his NFL experience and position as the senior advisor for a relatively young group of players in the Carolina secondary. Otherwise, Rivera and the Panthers may vote to have just five captains until Davis returns.
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Either way an official announcement should come ahead of the Panthers and Cowboys kickoff, scheduled for Sunday, September 9 at 4:25pm ET.