Carolina Panthers: Can Weatherly embrace starting role in 2020?

There could be more to come from Stephen Weatherly with more time on the field with the Carolina Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers placed a lot of faith in defensive end Stephen Weatherly this offseason. The player opted to join the franchise on a two-year, $12.5 million deal that included a $4 million signing bonus and $6.25 million guaranteed to tempt him away from the Minnesota Vikings.

This represents a significant opportunity for Weatherly to make a starting position his own after his time in a rotational role under Mike Zimmer. While he performed superbly when called upon in Minnesota, the proposition of becoming a more prominent member of the Panthers’ defense was something he could not pass up.

Speaking to the Carolina Panthers website about how much being a starter factored in his decision to sign with the team, Weatherly made it clear in no uncertain terms.

"“It’s everything. My position with my previous team was more of a rotational, giving-guys-a-blow type of deal, which is fine. That’s what they asked me to do, so I absolutely get it.“But a part of me choosing to come to the Carolina Panthers was the opportunity to compete for a starting job and show them what I look like as a potential full-time starter for an NFL team. So I had to jump at it.”"

It’s clear that the Panthers are getting a player with enormous promise in Weatherly. He has risen from a late-round pick to someone that has earned the right to be an NFL starter in a relatively short space of time.

Carolina will be getting a pass-rusher entering his prime. And this is something that can ensure Weatherly becomes a huge hit with the Panthers’ loyal fanbase.

Can Weatherly embrace a starting role with the Carolina Panthers in 2020?

The onus will be on Weatherly to make sure he can repay the Panthers for giving him the sort of financial commitment he was never going to get in Minnesota. If the player lives up to his billing, then he is going to be a real force on a defensive line that has the potential to be much improved in 2020.

Giving Weatherly more room to work alongside to space eating players in Kawann Short and No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown is going to do his chances of success the world of good. He thrived in a similar situation with the Vikings opposite premier talent Danielle Hunter when he filled in for the absent Everson Griffen when the veteran was forced to miss some time with mental health problems.

There is always the chance this move doesn’t work out. But Weatherly possesses all the tools needed to become an NFL starter and it is doubtful he will let the opportunity pass him by.

Everything is in place for Weatherly to deliver. And there will be additional pressure in the form of second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos, who will probably start at outside linebacker but will have aspirations of playing defensive end in the not too distant future.

Not much is expected of the Panthers as a whole in 2020. But that does not apply to Weatherly. If he cannot make a considerable impression, then his stay in Carolina could be a short one.

Releasing Weatherly after just one season would save the Panthers $4.55 million in cap space. However, when one examines what Weatherly brings to the table, it is hard to envisage him not embracing more responsibility from a consistent starting spot.