4 former Carolina Panthers players looking for revenge in 2022

Stephen Weatherly – Former Carolina Panthers DE

When the Carolina Panthers signed Stephen Weatherly in 2020 free agency, expectations were high for the defensive end. His production on a rotational basis for the Minnesota Vikings left reasons to be encouraged from a starting role, but injuries and poor production meant it was another gamble that didn’t pay off.

Weatherly struggled to find any sort of rhythm opposite Brian Burns on the defensive front. Generating pressure consistently was a real challenge and poor gap discipline against the run is something else that forced Carolina to cut this experiment short after just one season.

Last year was an interesting one for Weatherly, who spent the early part of the campaign on the Vikings before being traded to the Denver Broncos. Despite getting 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and 15 pressures from 45 percent of the team’s snaps, he wasn’t brought back and signed a short-term deal with the Cleveland Browns this spring.

Of course, Weatherly has to make the team first. And in any case, his revenge game will be completely overshadowed by Baker Mayfield after his trade from Cleveland to Carolin well ahead of training camp.

Mayfield is expected to be the Panthers’ starter under center in Week 1. Something that could provide extra incentive for Weatherly providing he can push himself onto a talented defensive line rotation.