What things have to change for the Carolina Panthers to stand any chance of making real progress when the 2022 season gets underway?
It’s not hard to see why things are hanging perilously for the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2022 season. Three straight five-win campaigns with top-10 draft selections attached are not the best indicator that things are going to plan since David Tepper bought the team and considering what’s transpired throughout another turbulent offseason, people are now starting to point the finger at ownership rather than head coach Matt Rhule.
The Panthers are currently going through the voluntary offseason workout stage before mandatory minicamp and training camp. Their schedule next season does look difficult, but the talent is there providing everyone gets up to speed quickly under the guidance of a bolstered coaching staff under Rhule.
Another failed campaign despite modest expectations will not go down well with a disillusioned fanbase. Not many in the media are expecting Carolina to make waves, with some even putting them dead last in their early power rankings.
With that being said, here are four things that simply must change for the Panthers in pursuit of proving their doubters wrong in 2022.
Things that must change for the Carolina Panthers in 2022
Carolina Panthers must have more accountability
Whether it was John Miller’s “sacks happen” or Dennis Daley’s “not my job“, accountability was sorely lacking within the Carolina Panthers last season. This did not go unnoticed by quarterback Cam Newton, who declared in his exit presser that he felt not everyone was pulling in the same direction last time around and this has to change.
John Miller: It's the NFL...sacks happen. pic.twitter.com/zNd7rsOn6g
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) January 3, 2022
Becoming accountable for your own performances and making sure others are also doing their jobs effectively is the hallmark of any successful franchise. The Panthers are still relatively young across the board, but they should have enough leaders to make strides in this regard.
It’s time for the Panthers to start showing some character and taking on the mantle of responsibility that comes with playing professional football. Nothing but significant strides forward in this area will do next season.