There’s no reason Christian McCaffrey should play again in 2020
By Dean Jones
Christian McCaffrey’s importance in 2021
Despite Christian McCaffrey being a relative non-factor this season – the first since he signed a four-year, $64 million deal with a $21 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed – he’ll be the focal point on offense when he returns.
If the Carolina Panthers are smart, that won’t be until 2021.
It promises to be another offseason of significant change in Carolina if their efforts so far this season are any indication. Rebuilds of this magnitude normally take a couple of years and there are some glaring holes that need to be filled if the team wants to be considered a realistic option for the postseason next time around.
This might just mean that McCaffrey is going to have better players around him on the roster next year. Carolina’s coaching staff should also be more adept regarding in-game adjustments with a full season under their belts and providing the recruitment is strong, there is every chance that the Panthers can make more of an impact.
Putting McCaffrey back out there when there is simply no need could be catastrophic. Running backs are more suseptible to injuries than most and No. 22 might have had a reputation for being an iron man before this season, but ankle and shoulder problems prove he is only human after all.