6 big offseason mistakes made by the Carolina Panthers at midseason
By Dean Jones
What are some big mistakes made by the Carolina Panthers based on what we’ve seen over the first half of the season?
It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Sunday’s disastrous defeat to the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium was a damning indictment of how things are developing for Matt Rhule’s men, who’ve lost five of their last six games since starting the campaign 3-0.
The holes on the roster are evident. Unless some adjustments are made – and quickly – then the Panthers can expect yet another double-digit loss season since owner David Tepper bought the organization from Jerry Richardson.
Pressure is definitely building on Rhule. Although he’s only in Year 2 of his megabucks deal given to the former Baylor man last year.
Without further ado, here are the six biggest mistakes made by Carolina before the campaign as we reach the midseason pount in 2021.
Mistake No. 1
Carolina Panthers should have signed Zane Gonzalez sooner
The Panthers could have saved themselves a lot of embarrassment by signing Zane Gonzalez when he came in for a tryout at mandatory minicamp. Carolina took a good look at the kicker before eventually deciding to go with Joey Slye, who was removed from the roster before the regular season and replaced with Ryan Santoso.
This trade with the New York Giants didn’t go according to plan. Santoso lasted just one game before he was sent packing, forcing the Panthers to go back in for Gonzalez.
The former seventh-round pick missed one field goal on his debut. But thankfully, Gonzalez has been flawless ever since and could be Carolina’s long-term answer at the position.
Gonzalez even won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his outstanding contribution at the Atlanta Falcons. Quite the turnaround at the position for Carolina.