4 clear strengths the Carolina Panthers can depend on in 2021
By Dean Jones
What are the clear strengths that the Carolina Panthers can depend on during a hugely important 2021 season for the organization?
Excitement is building as the Carolina Panthers gear up for their opening game of the 2021 season next Sunday. Their clash against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium will be the strongest indicator yet as to just how much progress has been made in recent months, which has been another eventful one for everyone associated with the organization.
If the Panthers got some leeway last season following a new head coach arriving in difficult circumstances and plenty of influential locker room figures departing, that might not be the case this time around.
Matt Rhule and his players have benefitted from a more structured offseason program and a full training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg. So hopes are high this can come with more wins during the upcoming campaign.
Of course, there are some obvious concerns. Most notably the offensive line and how new quarterback Sam Darnold can perform in a different environment.
However, it’s hard to look at Carolina’s options overall and not be encouraged. Some exciting young players were bolstered by an impressive batch of college recruits and prominent veterans in free agency, which has strengthened starting options and depth in equal measure.
The coaching staff will also play a big role after going through some early growing pains in critical moments in 2020. If the necessary adjustments are made, then the Panthers could be one of the big surprise packages when it’s all said and done.
With this in mind, here are four positions that Carolina can depend on for outstanding production next season.