Carolina Panthers need a better plan for Christian McCaffrey in 2022

The Carolina Panthers need a better plan when it comes to their star running back Christian McCaffrey after another injury-ravaged season in 2021.

It’s not hard to pinpoint where things began to go wrong for the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Another injury to Christian McCaffrey in Week 3 at the Houston Texans unmasked a lot of the team’s failings, something they weren’t able to recover from in the All-Pro’s absence throughout the campaign.

McCaffrey ended up featuring in just seven games – taking his tally to 10 over the last two seasons. This is not helping the Panthers one bit and there is even talk of the organization willing to field trade calls for the former first-round pick this offseason.

Whether another team would be willing to sacrifice draft capital and take on McCaffrey’s lucrative contract is up for debate. There is no denying the player’s ability when healthy, but staying on the field is something Carolina cannot rely upon where the Stanford product is concerned anymore.

That’s why a different approach is needed if McCaffrey remains on the roster. Otherwise, this is going to be an ongoing complication and something Matt Rhule does not need heading into a crucial third season as head coach.

McCaffrey spoke about the need for change during his exit presser. Outlining that overdoing things has perhaps been his downfall when it comes to training during the offseason and throughout a normal gameday week.

"“If I’ve learned anything in terms of techniques, it’s been just not overdoing it. I think that’s been my issue is overdoing it sometimes. But once again, there’s different things I’ve learned along the way that will help. You can’t prevent everything. Football’s a tough business, a tough sport. I’ll continue to learn and grow.”"

Christian McCaffrey needs more help to ease the burden.

McCaffrey is not a rookie looking to prove himself. He is an established veteran with elite credentials when healthy, so the sooner the player and the Panthers realize this, the better his chances of remaining healthy are moving forward.

Getting the player some additional help would also be beneficial. Chuba Hubbard and Ameer Abdullah should remain part of the team’s plans, but securing a power running back in free agency or the draft is another possible option they should explore.

After another season of frustration for McCaffrey, there is no other option. A change in planning and usage on the field is the only way he’ll have a chance and any further complications could throw his long-term future with the franchise into doubt.

Something nobody expected to say when McCaffrey became the third player in NFL history to go over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. But in fairness to the player, it’s something he’s already acknowledged.

"“I’m a competitor, and I always want to show up ready to go in OTAs, and trained for OTAs, But it will be more tempered, so to speak — showing up fluid and smooth and ready to go and taking care of yourself.”"

It will be interesting to see if these concessions amount to anything.

McCaffrey is a highly competitive individual who wants to be the focal point. But he’s accumulated a lot of touches in a short space of time, and being away from the team is having an adverse effect on Carolina’s expected progression – even if the coaching staff should have a better Plan B when it comes to their own offensive gameplan.

McCaffrey is a special talent. But it’s hard to deny the Panthers have a real dilemma on their hands.