4 must-watch reunion games on Panthers schedule in 2020
By Dean Jones
Stephen Weatherly – Week 12 (Minnesota Vikings)
The Carolina Panthers made Stephen Weatherly an offer he couldn’t refuse to prise the player away from the Minnesota Vikings. The defensive end opened a two-year, $12 million deal that included a $4 million signing bonus and $6.25 million guaranteed.
While the Vikings were reportedly keen on Weatherly sticking around in the absence of Everson Griffen. They were not in a financial position to offer the player anything like this sort of money given their lack of wiggle room at the time.
The Panthers schedule sees Weatherly make a return to Minnesota in week 12, which is a chance for the former seventh-round pick out of Vanderbilt to show the Vikings they should have made a long-term investment in him.
Weatherly did perform well when called upon for Mike Zimmer’s men over the last two seasons. This resulted in 5.5 sacks, 38 solo tackles, and two forced fumbles from 948 snaps.
Big things are now expected of Weatherly with more time on the field and with a good cast surrounding him on Carolina’s defensive front. There will be plenty of chances for him in the Panthers’ new 4-3 defense. And how he handles more responsibility on his shoulders will be crucial to any short-term impact he makes on the organization.
Weatherly will be coming up against Vikings’ stud right tackle Brian O’Neill, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2019 and can now be classed as one of the most productive protectors anywhere in the NFL.