5 Carolina Panthers players who could become breakout stars in 2022
By Brian Emory
Which Carolina Panthers players have the potential to become breakout stars in 2022 with further improvements this offseason?
All eyes to 2022. Another season of Carolina Panthers football is officially in the books, and for the fourth consecutive year, the team didn’t even sniff the postseason.
Fans across the Carolinas have been roaring with disapproval this week. As other futile franchises across the NFL have fired their unsuccessful coaches, fans have had to slowly come to terms with the fact that Matt Rhule will indeed return for what will assuredly be a make-or-break third season with the Panthers.
If Rhule wants to turn things around, he has some serious work ahead of him. Carolina has many holes up and down its roster, and considering the team’s current asset pool it’s going to be very difficult to fill all of them this offseason.
For fans out there who wish to remain positive, one small sliver of hope could be found in Carolina’s youth. When Rhule accepted the job, fans knew there was going to be a rebuild of some degree. The Panthers still have one of the youngest rosters in the league.
As the losses began to pile up in 2021, Rhule reluctantly began to start playing some young players that had been waiting in the wings. Some of these displayed encouraging reps and will hope to find increased roles next time around.
If Rhule and the Panthers want any chance of reaching the playoffs in 2022, it’s safe to say they will need some young players to evolve into NFL stalwarts. Here are five candidates who could have a breakout season in 2022.