Carolina Panthers: Will Devin Funchess return after this season?
Carolina Panthers receiver Devin Funchess is not performing during his contract year.
When the Carolina Panthers selected Devin Funchess in the second-round of the 2015 NFL Draft, he joined first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin from a year prior. The two were brought to Carolina by former general manager Dave Gettleman as he attempted to construct a power offense, relying on the run and big-bodied receivers who could create matchup issues inside the red zone.
A thoughtful philosophy but one that didn’t pan out when Gettleman was relieved of his duties prior to training camp last year and replaced by Marty Hurney, who is now serving his second stint in the same position.
In an offense bolstered by the selection of running back Christian McCaffrey a year ago, Hurney eyed a change in style once he assumed the position and as an interim began making changes to the Panthers offensive style even before new coordinator Norv Turner was brought on board.
Hurney traded away Benjamin at the deadline last year in an effort to, “get more speed on the field”. Once Turner came on board this offseason, the two new ideas meshed as he has developed more quick-hitting routes to improve quarterback Cam Newton‘s completion percentage while giving his playmakers an opportunity to make something happen after the catch.
Gone are the days of deep, long developing routes and although Funchess and Benjamin may be big targets inside the red zone – if you can’t move the football between the 20-yard lines, then you’re not going to be very successful.
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The shift continued as coach Ron Rivera, Turner and Hurney elected to recently part ways with running back C.J. Anderson. Instead, the Panthers will rely on McCaffrey and young receiving options D.J. Moore or Curtis Samuel to contribute both on the ground and through the air.
Funchess is in his contract year and as the season progresses, it has become more evident that he is on the way out in Carolina. While his recent poor performance at Detroit may have been uncharacteristic, his inability to make a significant impact on the offense leaves much to be desired.
This offseason, Carolina brought in veteran Torrey Smith, who should be around for another season to mentor a developing, yet dynamic receiving group and signing a free agent remains a possibility, especially if Funchess is not brought back.
Golden Tate, arguably the best after a catch in the league, would be a prime example for Moore in the passing game and he is just one of what is expected to be a deep class of wide receivers available on the free agent market after the season.
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The Panthers defacto number one receiver, Funchess has a few games remaining to prove his worth and unless something dramatic changes, expect him to be playing elsewhere next year.