4 critical factors that will determine successful Panthers season in 2022

What are some critical factors that will determine whether the Carolina Panthers can be successful during the 2022 campaign?

The Carolina Panthers haven’t had a winning season since 2017 when they tallied 11 wins and five losses. Since then, some good rosters on paper haven’t met the required targets under Ron Rivera and Matt Rhule.

Coincidentally, the Panthers haven’t sniffed the playoffs since David Tepper purchased the team from Jerry Richardson and took over as owner. Carolina has won five games in each of the last three years, with chaos and capitulation featuring heavily during a disappointing 2021 campaign after such a promising start.

The Panthers have an opportunity for a winning season due to the bolstering of the offensive line in the draft and in free agency. Along with the acquisition of Baker Mayfield at quarterback, things look far more promising for an offense that is now led by Ben McAdoo.

Carolina’s defense lost Hasson Reddick this offseason and will look to replace him with Yetur-Gross Matos who was drafted in the second round in the 2020 NFL Draft. Although don’t be surprised if the Panthers pick up some additional help on the defensive line before Week 1.

The Carolinas are longing for their team to finally put together a season where they play to the roster’s potential. This season will be massive in evaluating Rhule’s job security as the depth that general manager Scott Fitterer helped assemble looks to be the best since they last appeared in the postseason.

With this in mind, here are four critical factors that will ultimately determine whether the Panthers can attain success in 2022.