Carolina Panthers: Can Kawann Short bounce back in 2020?

Can Kawann Short bounce back in 2020?

It would be a huge surprise if Kawaan Short did not return to his old self next season. The Carolina Panthers gave him the longest possible time to heal from his shoulder injury and they are hoping this will see the player make a full recovery.

He is such an imposing figure on the line of scrimmage. When Short is at the top of his game there are few better at the position in the NFL. He is a three-down lineman that is incredible either rushing the passer or stopping the run.

This is a defense that has undergone major changes in Carolina and has left them incredibly thin. Although the Panthers are expected to bring in some young faces via the NFL Draft, there will be a lot of pressure on Short’s shoulders to produce the goods and ensure the defensive side of the ball improves dramatically next term.

Releasing Short after this season would save the Panthers around $9.7 million in cap space. So, if things do not pan out as expected the player could join a long list of seasoned veterans who have departed the franchise.

Although Carolina’s decision-makers have made a concerted effort to go younger this offseason, any successful franchise needs veteran leadership. Short will provide stability and can also guide any incoming college recruits and second-year-pro Brian Burns on the right path that will stand them in good stead long-term.

This is yet another intriguing element to a season that has the potential to go either way for new Panthers’ head coach Matt Rhule.