3 reasons why the Panthers shouldn’t rush Christian McCaffrey back
By Dean Jones
Looking at the bigger picture
Although Christian McCaffrey will be chomping at the bit to get back on the gridiron, the Carolina Panthers should consider the bigger picture in this particular scenario.
They have a good chance of surprising those who wrote off their chances this season. But it is hard to deny that their recent resurgence is way ahead of schedule, at least that’s how it appears from the outside looking in.
Having McCaffrey back in the lineup would boost their outside chances of making the playoffs, of that there is little doubt. But if the player isn’t fully recovered from the sort of injury that does tend to flare up again, then it has the potential to come with bigger ramifications.
The Panthers placed a lot of faith in McCaffrey to be the leader and focal point of their franchise this offseason. They got rid of star names such as Cam Newton, which could outrage among some sections of Carolina’s fanbase. And giving the running back such a lucrative extension bucked a league trend and caused a domino effect that has also seen the likes of Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon, and Dalvin Cook get paid.
Owner David Tepper is a shrewd businessman, so he will be wanting some bang for his buck relating to McCaffery. That is why it’s vital for the Panthers to focus on the long-term regarding their best offensive weapon to ensure he is fit and firing on all cylinders for the duration of his deal.