How can the Carolina Panthers win without Christian McCaffrey if the running back suffers further injury problems in 2022?
Christian McCaffrey has been the heart and soul of the Carolina Panthers for some time now. The running back was on a Pro Football Hall of Fame trajectory before a series of unfortunate injuries struck over the last two seasons, which derailed the team’s progress significantly given how over-reliant they’ve been on the All-Pro.
Seeing the offense completely disintegrate once McCaffrey went to the sidelines was a tough watch. Something that has to change this time around if the Panthers are forced to cope with further complications on the health front next season.
Hopefully, that won’t be the case. McCaffrey has been working on improving his own preparation and the onus will also be on Carolina to come up with a better way to keep their best offensive weapon fit and firing for a full slate.
That is no guarantee, obviously. So here are four ways the Panthers can still win without McCaffrey in 2022.
Way to Win No. 1
Carolina Panthers must enhance TE involvement
This is important whether Christian McCaffrey is on the field or not. But if the Carolina Panthers were forced to move forward without the Stanford product, then increasing production from the tight end position is an absolute necessity.
The Panthers remain confident in Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas fulfilling their promise under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Both players have the physical tools, it’s becoming consistent that appears to be the biggest stumbling block.
Carolina must enhance the tight end position somehow in 2022. And there is a high chance this can be accomplished with McAdoo calling the shots.
Carolina Panthers must lean heavily on D’Onta Foreman
Chuba Hubbard filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey last season. It was a lot to ask of the fourth-round pick, but despite flashing on occasions there were some major struggles in certain areas that must be addressed as a matter of urgency this summer.
Generating yards after contact was a problem for Hubbard during his rookie campaign. The former Oklahoma State star was also non-existent in pass protection and couldn’t make any sort of impression in the passing game, which hurt his stock along the way.
The Carolina Panthers found themselves another bell-cow this offseason with the intriguing pickup of D’Onta Foreman from the Tennessee Titans in free agency. His production filling in for Derrick Henry last time around was superb and if the worst happens to McCaffrey, this is a role the Texas product could be tasked with once again.
Foreman should see plenty of carries even if McCaffrey is healthy. The Panthers cannot afford to give their No. 1 running back north of 35 combined touches a game anymore, so the backup might provide a nice relief and especially in between the tackles to minimize the risk of injuries.
Obviously, asking Foreman to replicate what McCaffrey brings to the table is unrealistic. However, if he used in a similar way to Mike Davis in 2020, then the Panthers might be onto something.
Carolina Panthers must find the right balance
It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Carolina Panthers had absolutely no clue of how to function effectively without Christian McCaffrey in 2021. A combination of poor play-calling, suspect quarterback play, struggling pass-catchers, and almost no solid offensive line protection were somehow all masked by the former first-round pick and this was immediately exposed once he went down in Week 3 at the Houston Texans.
This has been the case over the last two years, in all honesty. If the Panthers couldn’t guarantee 30-plus touches from McCaffrey, their offense was stagnant despite the consistency of wide receiver D.J. Moore.
If the same happens this season and the Panthers don’t have a better game plan, then the consequences will be severe.
Carolina is looking toward new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo for guidance and a true contingency plan in the event McCaffrey misses time. One thing that the Panthers must do is have a more balanced approach, which will take the heat off and also make opposing defenses think twice about where the football is going.
This will also enable other players to remain consistent with any enhanced involvement that would come with McCaffrey out. Although it’s going to be a body blow if this occurs for a third-straight year.
Carolina Panthers pass-catchers must step up
Christian McCaffrey is much more than a running back. His presence in the backfield instantly changes the way teams approach things defensively and the player’s prowess in the passing game is renowned and feared in equal measure.
Once this was taken away in 2021, it exposed Sam Darnold for what he is without the league’s best security blanket wrapped around the quarterback. This was also a big reason why many Carolina Panthers pass-catchers struggled to make any sort of impression outside of D.J. Moore, who went over 1,000 yards once again and earned himself a big-time payday in the process.
If McCaffrey missed a considerable portion of time next season, then the same cannot happen again. Although much will also depend on just who the Panthers go with at the most important position on the field.
The likes of Robbie Anderson, Terrace Marshall Jr., Shi Smith, and free-agent signing Rashard Higgins have to provide better numbers. This bears significance with McCaffrey involved and should more attention come their way in the All-Pro’s absence.
Hopefully, the Panthers already have a concise plan in place should McCaffrey go down once again. Something that will hinder their hopes of being competitive in 2022 and might even see those in power become more receptive to trading their prized asset.