Panthers depth chart focus: Special teams set to dominate?

Chris Tabor – Carolina Panthers ST coordinator

Finding a new special teams coordinator was clearly a real focus for the Carolina Panthers this past offseason.

Chase Blackburn was one of the last remaining coaches kept from Ron Rivera’s days with the organization. But he was fired just two days after the 2021 season ended – no surprise with the issues the Panthers showed in blocking and coverage.

They moved quickly to replace Blackburn with the exciting appointment of Chris Tabor. He has a wealth of coaching experience, spending the previous 11 years of his career as a Special Teams Coordinator with the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears respectively.

He even has some head coaching experience, taking the reins on the Bears when Matt Nagy tested positive for COVID-19.

Tabor is known for consistently putting together quality special teams units. During his time in Cleveland between 2011-2016, the Browns were the only NFL team to have earned at least one AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award each season.

This hire coupled with the additions of Andre Roberts and Johnny Hekker as well as Zane Gonzalez’s re-signing gives the Panthers scope under Tabor’s leadership to put out a top-level group on special teams in 2022. Something that could help their cause enormously.