4 Panthers position groups that improved most this offseason
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers RBs
One of the main frustrations where the Carolina Panthers were concerned in 2021 was the absence of Christian McCaffrey for a considerable period of time once again. The All-Pro running back started off the season hot, but an injury suffered in Week 3 at the Houston Texans derailed this and he was never quite the same after that en route to just seven appearances.
McCaffrey has now featured 10 times over two seasons since signing his lucrative four-year contract extension. Rookie fourth-round pick Chuba Hubbard performed admirably in his absence, but he was a non-factor in the passing game, and his inability to create yards after initial contact was another thing not exactly working in his favor.
Thankfully, the Panthers also recognized this and wasted no time in strengthening their options behind McCaffrey. In came D’Onta Foreman in free agency following a successful stint with the Tennessee Titans, who brings an intriguing set of skills to the franchise that should be beneficial for the team and the Stanford product in equal measure.
Foreman has exceptional contact balance, can assist in pass-blocking far more effectively than Hubbard, and has no trouble gaining hard yards in between the tackles. This is the clearest sign yet that Carolina plenty to utilize McCaffrey in a completely different way next season, which should be welcomed by the player after so much disappointment on the health front.
Just what this means for Hubbard’s involvement remains to be seen. But the running back group looks much stronger now with McCaffrey back and Foreman on board.