Carolina Panthers: 4 X-factors on offense in 2020

The Carolina Panthers have doubled-down on Ian Thomas this offseason. Prolific veteran Greg Olsen departed for the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. And the organization didn’t really boost this particular area of the field with a signing or NFL Draft pick.

Thomas seems to have all the tools necessary to make the most of this opportunity. He burst onto the scene in Olsen’s absence in 2018 on his way to 36 receptions, 333 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Although he didn’t build on this last season. There is plenty of hope the former fourth-round pick can rise to the challenge in a prominent starting role.

The player should get plenty of space to work in thanks to the dynamic weapons Carolina possesses all over the field. What comes next will be entirely up to Thomas. But there is nothing to suggest he is not capable of producing similar numbers to what Olsen contributed in recent seasons.

If Thomas can prove his worth as a viable starting option, then this could come with a substantial reward financially. He is entering the penultimate year of his rookie deal and will make a $750,000 base salary in 2020. The Panthers do have more resources available next spring. So the tight end could be in line for a multi-year deal if he exceeds expectations.