4 reasons not to panic after Panthers hold firm at 2022 trade deadline
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers worked hard on their youth movement
Despite the ill-advised trades and switches at the quarterback position, the Carolina Panthers have done a nice job of building through a youth movement in recent years. Many taken in the draft are currently holding key starting positions, with players such as Terrace Marshall Jr. also coming to the fore rapidly in the wake of Matt Rhule’s firing.
Breaking this up and starting over through more draft selections was obviously tempting. However, the Panthers must become an attractive destination for head coaching candidates if they opt not to keep Steve Wilks in the role permanently.
How can they do this? By showing any willing Rhule successor there is a strong spine to build around and this team is just a few pieces away from legitimately contending in a poor division.
Both offense and defense boast a lot of talent. The trenches also look strong and if the Panthers can find their signal-caller of the future in 2023, the sky’s the limit.
Scott Fitterer will already be coming up with areas of need next spring. Much will also depend on how any new incoming coach views Carolina’s current options, which could lead to more changes when the time comes.
The Panthers worked hard on building through young, exciting talent with high athletic traits. There is a long way to go, but the foundations are already in place, so trading them away was not an option.