Panthers No. 91: Can Stephen Weatherly get double-digit sacks?

Could Stephen Weatherly get double-digit sacks during his first season with the Carolina Panthers in 2020?

The Carolina Panthers are now just 91 days away from taking the field in a competitive setting once again. This has felt like a long offseason due to the current climate added to the wealth of changes that have transpired across the franchise.

One particular area of real change is on the defensive front of the Carolina Panthers. They will be reverting to a 4-3 base scheme and have loaded up on potential playmakers who could transform their fortunes.

While the Panthers opted to allocate most of their spare funds on offense during free agency. They did manage to pick up a notable addition on defense in the form of Stephen Weatherly from the Minnesota Vikings.

The defensive end penned a two-year, $12 million deal that included a $4 million signing bonus and $6.25 million guaranteed, which Minnesota was not in a position to match given their salary cap constraints. Weatherly will now get the chance to take his game to the next level in a starting role after fitting into the Vikings’ rotation seamlessly.

Putting Weatherly opposite second-year-pro Brian Burns has an untold amount of potential. Both are sure to get plenty of opportunities to make things happen in 2020 thanks to Kawann Short and No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown eating up space on the interior.

The Panthers are counting on the former seventh-round pick to continue his rise to prominence with more time on the field next season. Everything is in position for Weatherly to succeed. But what would be some realistic targets for the player?

Can Stephen Weatherly get double-digit sacks for the Carolina Panthers in 2020?

The player proved highly productive during his limited time on the field in Minnesota. Weatherly showed enough to be given a substantial financial commitment from the Carolina Panthers. And he must deliver on his enormous promise.

It would be a huge surprise if Weatherly did not become an instant fan favorite in Carolina. His relentless motor and high energy on the field is a joy to watch. And he has also developed a fine repertoire of pass-rushing moves that he can call upon at will.

Another eye-catching feature of Weatherly’s game is his ability to impact the running game. This is an area where the Panthers were woeful in 2019. But a big improvement is expected this time around.

Setting targets is always something that defensive lineman like to do. Weatherly will be no different, and the bigger his impact, the more chance his stay with the franchise could last longer than the two years already committed.

Although Weatherly has not achieved more than three sacks in any season during his career. This is largely down to the fact he hasn’t had a consistent period of starting. The situation is going to change in Carolina, which should also increase his expectations.

Attaining double-digit sacks would probably be ambitious. But Weatherly is now in the driving seat in terms of how far his career can actually go. And if he reaches this milestone it would give the player and the Panthers extreme confidence going forward.

Only time will tell as to whether or not this is going to be a realistic aim. However, defensive coordinator Phil Snow will give Weatherly the perfect platform to go in search of this feat. And it is not out of the realms of possibility.