With their playoff hopes in tatters following a disastrous defeat to the Atlanta Falcons, how can the Carolina Panthers salvage something from the 2021 season?
This is not what the Carolina Panthers had in mind following a 3-0 start that saw many predicting they could become one of the league’s surprise packages in 2021. A dismal lack of urgency against the Atlanta Falcons following their bye week saw them fall to yet another demoralizing defeat, ending what slim hopes Matt Rhule and his players had of attaining postseason football with just four games remaining.
Carolina’s latest capitulation has seen even more doubt come to light regarding Rhule and just what direction the Panthers are heading. They have some glaring holes at key positional groups, a number of established players out of contract, and less than $30 million in salary-cap space to make the moves needed in pursuit of taking the next step.
Considering how difficult things might get over their remaining four games – three of which are on the road – there is a real chance Carolina’s morale is at an all-time low heading into a crucial offseason for the organization.
Patience is wearing thin within the team’s fanbase. Some have already thrown in the towel on this regime and want immediate change to keep things from sliding further into oblivion.
Things might look bleak right now. But here are four ways the Panthers can salvage something from their 2021 season.