5 keys to a successful 2020 season for the Carolina Panthers
By Dean Jones
Christian McCaffrey’s production
There might have been plenty of changes throughout the Carolina Panthers in 2020. But everything good from the organization will come through their star running back Christian McCaffrey.
The All-Pro has been nothing short of sensation during his first three years in the NFL. McCaffrey has now risen to the league’s best dual-threat player of the position and he is now the new face of the franchise after the Panthers decided to part ways with quarterback Cam Newton this offseason.
Carolina displayed their faith in McCaffrey to drive them forward by giving him a four-year, $64 million deal with a $21 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed. This ties the player down for his best years and comes in no small part to his historic 2019 campaign that saw him become the third player in NFL history to secure 1,000-yards rushing and receiving.
Given the number of weapons at the Panthers’ disposal on offense, there might be a temptation to take some of the load off McCaffrey next season. This is the smart thing to do, but the coaching staff should continue to ride him for as long as he is still performing to such an elite level.
If the Panthers are going to achieve any sort of success in 2020. They will need McCaffrey firing on all cylinders from his first snap to last.