5 most important additions of the Panthers’ 2021 offseason

Which current members of the Carolina Panthers could be classed as the team’s most important additions this offseason?

It certainly hasn’t been a boring offseason where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. There has been plenty of player turnover once again following the appointment of new general manager Scott Fitterer from the Seattle Seahawks, which resulted in a very active free agency period and a wealth of trade movement during the 2021 NFL Draft.

This was to be expected with a team that’s still in the midst of a pretty substantial rebuild and coming off the back of their second straight 5-11 campaign. It’s hard to look at the Panthers‘ current options across the board and not think the roster looks far more promising than the one that ended the 2020 season, although there is simply no telling for sure until they get out onto the gridiron.

Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule have laid an extremely solid foundation from which to build a potential playoff contender down the line. With another postseason spot up for grabs next season, a little more conviction in crucial stages could see them playing into January for the first time in a good while.

Of all the offseason additions made by Carolina in recent months, here are five players who could end up being the most important.

Player No. 1

Dan Arnold – Carolina Panthers TE

Getting consistent production in the passing game from the tight end position is absolutely vital for the Panthers in 2021. This area of the field saw little in the way of targets in the immediate aftermath of Greg Olsen’s departure, with Ian Thomas and Chris Manhertz struggling to fill the void left by the prolific Pro Bowler.

Manhertz signed for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency and Thomas is still around despite the obvious temptation to trade the player or cut him loose entirely. The task of providing a notable contribution will now fall to Dan Arnold, a free-agent signing who has previous experience working with Joe Brady from their time together with the New Orleans Saints.

Arnold doesn’t have to be Travis Kelce or George Kittle considering the wealth of weapons around him. If the player can provide another catching option across the middle and make his opportunities in the red zone count, then it could make all the difference where Carolina is concerned.

The Panthers also drafted Tommy Tremble in the third round to provide further assistance. But the Notre Dame product is seen as a work in progress catching the ball.