4 Carolina Panthers on their final warning at the Texans in Week 3

Chase Blackburn – Carolina Panthers ST coach

Head coach Matt Rhule was clearly displeased by the production on special teams against the New Orleans Saints. Something that’s becoming a growing problem and a potential detrimental issue moving forward.

This falls on special teams coach Chase Blackburn, who managed to keep his job following Rhule’s arrival, but if these frustrations continue into the future then a potential change might be made.

The Carolina Panthers weren’t getting kickoffs into the end zone with Zane Gonzalez, something they were already fully aware of before he was signed. That might be all well and good, but this exposed some real flaws in coverage that stood out during a positive display overall.

Blackburn has to make adjustments – and quickly – to ensure these same problems don’t come to the surface at the Houston Texans. His long-term job security might depend on it.

There is no doubt Blackburn is a respected figure within the locker room and across the organization. But the Panthers can ill-afford their special teams unit becoming a liability in the weeks and months ahead.

There isn’t much time to put the right changes in place due to Carolina getting national exposure on Thursday Night Football. So it will be something to keep a close eye on throughout the contest as the Panthers pursue a 3-0 record to start the 2021 season.