4 major improvements made by the Carolina Panthers this offseason
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers RB unit has more balance
It didn’t take long for things to unravel in 2021 once Christian McCaffrey went out of the lineup through injury once again. The Carolina Panthers have been over-reliant on the running back for some time now and there was absolutely no true contingency plan for the All-Pro missing time – something that played a role in offensive coordinator Joe Brady being fired midway through the bye week.
McCaffrey is one of the best in the business and arguably the league’s best dual-threat running back when healthy. But durability is now a real concern after the former first-round pick missed 10 games last season – taking his tally to 23 contests of unavailability over the last two years.
Finding the right balance in the backfield is the only way Carolina can preserve McCaffrey’s influence moving forward. Something the organization now has after signing D’Onta Foreman from the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
Foreman filled in superbly for Derrick Henry last season and can generate solid yardage in between the tackles. Something that should allow McCaffrey to take less punishment and give the player some valuable rest during the campaign.
Chuba Hubbard’s presence is also a positive despite an indifferent rookie season. Much will depend on how the Oklahoma State product develops in the coming weeks, but this group looks like a force providing McCaffrey can stay on the field.