4 growing concerns for the Carolina Panthers in 2020
By Dean Jones
Pressure in the backfield
Allowing opposing quarterbacks extended time to go through their progressions has become a growing problem for the Carolina Panthers. They aren’t getting consistent pressure in the backfield and the longer this goes on, the less chance this unit is going to have in turning around their fortunes.
The Panthers have managed just 11 sacks through the first ten games, which is simply not good enough and is ranked No. 31 overall in the NFL. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars have fewer and four of these have come from their stud edge rusher Brian Burns.
Simply put, if Burns doesn’t produce the goods, then it generally doesn’t come at all.
The former first-round pick has been one of the team’s standout performers this season and looks like the well-rounded defensive end that the Panthers were hoping for. Yetur Gross-Matos has shown some promise during a rookie season that has come with some injury frustrations, with the likes of Marquis Haynes and Efe Obada also making their presence felt on occasions from a rotational position.
Free-agent signing Stephen Weatherly hasn’t worked out as expected and he might have his time with the organization cut short this offseason. The decision-makers also need to acquire someone who can rush from the interior which would complement what No. 7 overall selection Derrick Brown brings to the table.