Carolina Panthers: Young roster set to be tested by Week 13 bye

Having a Week 13 bye week is going to be a severe test for the Carolina Panthers in 2020.

The Carolina Panthers go into the new season with little expectations of making a postseason run. This is down in no small part to the organization’s decision to start a complete rebuild from top to bottom.

While this is something that might enhance their long-term aspirations of clinching an elusive first Super Bowl. It is unlikely to come with immediate success for the Carolina Panthers under head coach Matt Rhule.

The Panthers face a tough-looking schedule that has not been aided with the incredible offseason that has transpired with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This now puts two legitimate contenders for the Vince Lombardi Trophy residing in the NFC South to further complicate matters.

Another notable struggle this young roster will have to overcome is their Week 13 bye. This is set to put considerable strain on a roster that is among the NFL’s thinnest from the outside looking in. And it leaves their margin for error as relatively short in terms of players needing to stay healthy.

What problems does a Week 13 bye possess for the Carolina Panthers?

One could argue that the Carolina Panthers need some additional depth to cope with the rigors of having a Week 13 bye. They go into the season with a relatively unproven roster. And veterans such as recently acquired left tackle Russell Okung and Kawann Short are coming off serious injuries themselves.

It is undoubtedly going to be a significant test of resolve for the group, who will not have that much time together before their return to the field in a competitive environment. Acquiring enough chemistry to become a cohesive unit appears slim. So this might also heighten their expected growing pains during the early stages of the campaign.

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Matt Rhule and his coaching staff will be all-too-aware of the problems that could emerge from having a bye week so late in the season. There will be plenty of aching bodies by the time they get a much-needed rest. And what sort of record the Panthers will have by this point is another matter entirely.

If Carolina is staring down the barrel of another top-five NFL Draft pick in 2021 by this point. Then it might be more prudent for those struggling with knocks to see reduced time on the field.

The team’s fanbase looks to have pretty much written off this season anyway. So the better the chance they give themselves of getting someone like Trevor Lawrence or Penei Sewell, the brighter their long-term prospects will be.

There is every chance that this roster rises to the challenge and everything clicks into place right away. However, with so many draft selections set to be thrust into the firing line from the word go. They will find out quickly just what a toll playing in the NFL can have on you both physically and mentally.

This is going to be a baptism of fire for the players and coaching staff alike. Things might end up getting worse before they improve. But there is also a slim chance that they can surprise experts who have already condemned the Panthers to a losing record.

Having a Week 13 bye is far from ideal. But overcoming adversity is the hallmark of great NFL teams. And it will be up to Carolina’s revamped roster to dig deep and show the coaching staff they are more than capable of leading the franchise back to prominence.