5 Carolina Panthers who have held the team back in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers have clearly held the team back during a disappointing 2021 season for the organization?
Perhaps the end of the season comes as a relief to many fans associated with the Carolina Panthers. A tremendous start – albeit against inferior opposition – left many wondering whether this team was capable of mounting a postseason challenge in the second year of Matt Rhule tenure, but these ambitions were quickly distinguished thanks to a cataclysmic collapse that’s seen them win just two games in their last 13 outings.
Serious questions are being asked about the current process, one that Rhule still feels is working despite nobody seeing it on the field. Although the head coach hasn’t lost the dressing room just yet, support from the fanbase is dwindling, and with a daunting 2022 schedule upcoming, the Panthers have to figure things out quickly or nothing much will change.
Whether the Panthers can finish their season on a high at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 is irrelevant. When one examines the wreckage of the campaign, a meaningless victory so late in the day shouldn’t factor much into the equation.
With this in mind, here are five Panthers who have clearly held the team back in 2021.
Panther No. 1
John Miller – Carolina Panthers OG
One of the main complications behind Carolina’s downfall this season has been the offensive line. Not entirely unexpected considering the grave concerns many had about this rag-tag unit coming into the campaign.
John Miller’s production has been one of the biggest disappointments. The former third-round pick was brought back on a team-friendly deal despite an inconsistent 2020 and things haven’t improved this time around.
Miller’s given up seven sacks and conceded three penalties from 656 snaps to secure a lowly 52.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. Simply put, it would not be wise for the Panthers to give him another extension, and should take their chances elsewhere.