4 Panthers that must improve to secure long-term future beyond 2022
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players must improve their respective contributions to secure a long-term future with the team beyond 2022?
After weeks of constant speculation and rumors, the Carolina Panthers know which players they will be moving forward with in 2022. The trade deadline came and went without any further selling, getting their business done early by trading Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey in the immediate aftermath of Matt Rhule’s firing.
This was a contentious issue among the fanbase. But it’s worth remembering that the Panthers have an exciting young core from which to build and removing star names such as Brian Burns and D.J. Moore would have sent out the wrong message to any potential head coaching candidates in 2023.
Carolina has shown signs of life under interim head coach Steve Wilks. The performances have improved exponentially over the last fortnight and aside from their collapse late at the Atlanta Falcons, there’s been far more good than bad.
With that being said, some are still fighting for survival. Here are four Panthers players who must improve to secure their long-term futures beyond 2022.
Player No. 1
Eddy Pineiro – Carolina Panthers K
Things were going so well for Eddy Pineiro before Week 8. But as we’ve seen throughout history, the life of a kicker is never smooth unless your name is Justin Tucker.
Pineiro was largely at fault for the Carolina Panthers falling to their sixth loss of the season at the Atlanta Falcons, missing an extra point late on and a crucial field goal in overtime. Although interim head coach Steve Wilks indicated that they won’t be making any immediate changes, the leash is now incredibly short.
The former Florida standout needs to return to the consistency demonstrated earlier in the campaign. However, there is just no telling what this has done to Pineiro’s confidence and with Zane Gonzalez set to return in 2023, a big effort is needed.