4 things Panthers fans can look forward to during the 2021 offseason
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers preseason games are back
Not having the benefit of preseason games hurt the Carolina Panthers more than most last summer. Plenty of new arrivals to the organization in the first year of Matt Rhule’s reign didn’t get the chance to see the field until Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, which they duly lost in convincing fashion to get their season off on the wrong foot.
One could argue this hurt chemistry and team cohesion.
Training camp and team scrimmages are useful, of that there is little doubt. But there is nothing like getting back on the field and mixing it with other teams to fully prepare for the upcoming challenges in a competitive environment.
Thankfully for the Panthers and others across the league, preseason games will resume in 2021 with three contests planned before Carolina begins what is sure to be a grueling 17-game calendar.
With an extra game to contend with, it might not see that many veterans get meaningful reps at any stages during their warmup fixtures. However, what it will provide is inexperienced players and those on the roster fringes with more of an opportunity to showcase what they can do on the field rather than at practice.
This can be the difference between someone forcing his way into the team’s plans or not. And let’s face it, we are all craving some football in whatever form by the time August rolls around.