What were some critical observations to take from yet another frustrating season from Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey in 2021?
There was a great sense of excitement before competitive action began regarding Christian McCaffrey. The star running back was fit and firing on all cylinders after appearing just three times in 2020, which was a significant boost for an offense that often struggled without the All-Pro during another disappointing five-win season.
McCaffrey is one of the best in the business. There’s absolutely no getting away from that.
However, there are now some lingering doubts regarding his status and whether he can stay healthy enough to assist the Carolina Panthers consistently over a prolonged period of time. McCaffrey managed just seven games this season, but there is much to discuss regarding the former first-round pick in the coming weeks.
With this in mind, here are some crucial observations from McCaffrey’s 2021 season.
Critical Observation No. 1
Things began well for Christian McCaffrey
Although things ended on an extremely sour note for Christian McCaffrey, the early signs were incredibly positive. The running back looked like his old self during the opening two games against the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, going over 100 yards from scrimmage in both contests as the Carolina Panthers got their 2021 off to the best possible start.
McCaffrey looked explosive and gave new quarterback Sam Darnold the league’s best security blanket during his initial transition to a different environment. Having the Pro Bowler in the lineup clearly galvanized everyone associated with the organization and also gave the player some real confidence that the injury problems that blighted matters in 2020 were now behind him.
How wrong we were.
Christian McCaffrey injury caused big-time disruption
No sooner had optimism arrived for the Carolina Panthers and Christian McCaffrey, it was taken away in the blink of an eye. The running back went down with an injury at the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 and although the team managed to win that particular game against inferior opposition, this was a cataclysmic blow to their overall aspirations.
McCaffrey wasn’t seen again until Week 9 against the New England Patriots and it didn’t take much longer for things to unravel. Sam Darnold looked a shell of himself without the All-Pro, reverting to the signal-caller we saw fail to meet expectations over three years on the New York Jets.
The Panthers didn’t have a sufficient backup plan in the event McCaffrey missed an extended period of time. Something that came to haunt them in a big way and play a leading role in the decision to fire Joe Brady as offensive coordinator.
Carolina had some major problems at quarterback and across the offensive line. Although he’s just one man, McCaffrey masked a lot of this and once he was on the sidelines, these major flaws became exposed.
What the future holds for McCaffrey and the Panthers is less certain now than it’s ever been. Some huge decisions are coming and the sooner they are made, the better the team’s chances will be.
Christian McCaffrey and Cam Newton were denied time
The Carolina Panthers dropped a huge bombshell with the return of quarterback Cam Newton. This completely galvanized the franchise at a time when morale was sinking and the prospect of slotting the former NFL MVP and Christian McCaffrey in the backfield once again was a mouth-watering one, to say the least.
McCaffrey and Newton hadn’t played that much together due to injuries from the signal-caller’s standpoint before his departure in 2020. But it didn’t take long for this chemistry to resume during an exceptional victory at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10 and further signs of promise were displayed against the Washington Football Team.
Sadly, another injury to McCaffrey in Week 12 at the Miami Dolphins was enough to end the player’s season. And Newton was unable to take advantage of his starting opportunity despite plenty of mitigating factors making life extremely difficult.
This was another cruel turn of events. And with Newton now out of contract, it remains to be seen whether the pair will ever suit up on the same team again.
Had McCaffrey been available throughout Newton’s time under center, things might have been different. But it’s another element to the ever-growing complication regarding the dual-threat weapon.
Carolina Panthers could trade Christian McCaffrey
Considering the injury problems and lack of availability for Christian McCaffrey over the last two seasons, talk of a potential trade was always going to come up this offseason. The Carolina Panthers don’t have much in the way of capital heading into the 2022 NFL Draft and speculation linking the player with a move away from the organization has been rife for a number of weeks.
General manager Scott Fitterer looked to dispel this notion during his exit presser. The front office figure stated he would take calls regarding McCaffrey, but it would take an astronomical offer for the Panthers to consider parting ways with their best offensive weapon.
"“There was a report back in November that we were actively trying to trade him, and I told him that was not true. What I did tell him was, ‘Hey, listen, I’ll take any call. Call and make any offer you want.’ That doesn’t mean we’ll do it. That doesn’t mean we’re shopping you.’ I look at Christian as a foundation piece on this team. We’re a better team when he’s on the field. He’s one of the elite players in the NFL.”"
This is a fluid situation that is worth monitoring closely. McCaffrey has been an indispensable member of the roster in recent years, but the best ability is availability and that’s why it might be worth exploring a potential deal.
Of course, teams might be reluctant to sacrifice valuable draft capital for McCaffrey. And that’s without considering the bumper contract given to him by the Panthers last year.
Christian McCaffrey must alter his approach
Christian McCaffrey is not an iron man. That notion is long gone.
If the Carolina Panthers decided to stand firm with the running back and continue building around him, then a change in direction is undoubtedly needed moving forward.
Just what that’s going to be is unclear. Finding a power back to take the heat off McCaffrey is absolutely essential, although Ameer Abdullah and Chuba Hubbard did flash without ever coming up with elite production with more responsibility on their shoulders.
The idea of McCaffrey moving to a slot receiver is something else to consider. This would take him out of the firing line and could even prolong his career in the process.
Some common ground needs to be found when it comes to training, practice, and overall preparation. McCaffrey is a renowned workout warrior and is always in peak physical condition, but reducing the risk is of critical importance to ensure the player is on the field more than he’s been of late.
McCaffrey should have a say, obviously. But at the same time, the coaching staff must be strong enough to start dictating matters where the player is concerned.
Another season like the two just gone would leave Carolina with no alternative other than to move forward without McCaffrey on the team. So the stakes could not be higher in 2022.