The Carolina Panthers boosted their defensive front with the signing of Stephen Weatherly, but what will the player bring to the franchise in 2020?
The Carolina Panthers pulled off something of a free agent coup with the acquisition of Stephen Weatherly from the Minnesota Vikings.
A former seventh-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Weatherly worked hard to become a part of the Vikings’ defensive line rotation and performed well when presented with an opportunity. This was aided by the presence of Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen, so it will be interesting to see what the player can do in the absence of the Pro Bowl duo.
This represents a low-risk, high-reward pick-up for the Panthers, who needed someone with Weatherly’s versatility on their defense. The player has developed his skills year by year and he is expected to take another leap forward with more time to make plays on the field.
He is also heading into the prime of his career with little wear and tear on his body. The four-year pro is now being paid in accordance with his talent and it will be up to Weatherly to prove that he is worth the investment.
All signs point to Weatherly’s time in Carolina being successful if he can adjust to his new surroundings right away. The NFC South is going to be an unforgiving place for defenders who are underperforming next season. How the player fits in will go a long way to determining his success.
So what can the Panthers expect from Weatherly in 2020?
Stephen Weatherly’s rise to prominence
Stephen Weatherly quietly emerged as a vital cog for the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. Other big names got the headlines, but that does not detract from the outstanding job he did for the franchise over the last two seasons.
Weatherly finished the season on a high with sacks against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears while also managing to drop Jimmy Garoppolo during Minnesota’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
In total, Weatherly notched 24 combined tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 2019. This production came from just 38.5 percent of the team’s snaps while also including nine quarterback hits and five tackles for loss.
This was the best possible scenario for Weatherly, who has more than exceeded expectations after being drafted in the seventh round out of Vanderbilt. He is a stout run defender who has taken full advantage of the opportunities that have come his way.
Weatherly got considerable playing time in 2018 in place of the absent Everson Griffen, notching 35 combined tackles and three sacks in six starts. He grew in stature during this period and the added experience has aided his overall development considerably.
There is still time for Weatherly to improve even further with more chances to shine. He is still only 26-years-old and he has the prime of his career ahead of him.
This is good news for the Carolina Panthers, who went all out to acquire his services in free agency.
How did the Panthers snag Weatherly?
Even though Stephen Weatherly and the Minnesota Vikings had a mutual interest in the player re-signing. The Carolina Panthers’ offer was too good to turn down and was something the cash-strapped Vikings couldn’t match.
Weatherly penned a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Panthers. This included a $4 million signing bonus and $6.25 million in guaranteed money. This was the best possible outcome for the player, who came from obscurity to earn the opportunity to start for an NFL franchise.
There is a potential out for the Panthers after Weatherly’s first season. If the player performs below expectations, he can be released at a saving of $4.55 million on their salary cap. Given the high amount they already have in dead cap money going forward, it would be a huge shock if the defensive end did not see out his deal with the organization.
Teams do tend to overpay for players in free agency. But if Weatherly continues on an upward curve this could be something of a steal for the Panthers. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington will have the benefit of a high-motor player to put alongside Kawann Short and rotational defensive end Efe Obada.
All this bodes well for a franchise that is going to need their defensive stars to perform consistently well to stand any chance of making an impact in the NFC South. All three other sides within the division possess potent aerial attacks. It will be up to the Panthers’ pass-rushers to disrupt this as much as possible in 2020.
Is Weatherly worth the money?
Only time will tell as to whether or not Stephen Weatherly is worthy of the financial investment made by the Carolina Panthers. Given his play over the last two seasons, there is nothing to suggest he is not going to be a big hit with the franchise.
He is still young enough to develop his pass-rushing moves further and having more time on the field is going to be another massive boost. Providing Weatherly is utilized in the right way then the Panthers have a real player on their hands.
It is evident that the current roster is going through a transitional phase, which is to be expected given the departures of high-profile individuals such as Luke Kuechly and Cam Newtown. New players need to bed in and the coronavirus situation is not helping incoming recruits to familiarise themselves with a different environment.
What impact this is going to have on the 2020 season remains to be seen. There is also the prospect of Carolina drafting another defensive lineman with a top-end pick in this year’s NFL Draft. This will add some more energy and freshness to a defense that was exposed on countless occasions last season.
Weatherly was held in high regard by the Minnesota Vikings and deserves to be an NFL starter. His play over the last two seasons has been tremendous and he has made the most of his time on the field when given an opportunity.
If he can keep this same level of consistency up with the Panthers, then it is a win-win situation for all parties.
What impact can Weatherly make in 2020?
The Carolina Panthers’ defense will be a lot better for the presence of Stephen Weatherly.
They have lost their inspirational leader in Luke Kuechly, so a downward turn is predicted. But with a couple of strong draft prospects coming in there is definitely potential going forward.
Weatherly will bring hunger and energy to their pass-rushing attack. The player is also a formidable presence against the run that is another huge asset to call upon.
Whether this is going to be enough for the Panthers to improve on their 5-11 record in 2020 remains to be seen. The NFC South is expected to be one of the toughest divisions in the NFL and if head coach Matt Rhule can get a .500 record in his first season, it would represent an achievement.
Weatherly’s arrival is a positive move for a franchise that has undergone significant changes during the offseason. He is versatile and plays with a ferociousness that is sure to make him a big hit with the Panthers’ fanbase.
There is the potential for the move not to work out. But at least the organization has not committed anything more than two years and has the potential to move on from Weatherly in 2021.
Hopefully, for the player and the Panthers, this will not be the case. Weatherly has risen to prominence quickly in a rotational role with the Minnesota Vikings and big things are expected from the player in a starting position.