5 biggest Carolina Panthers needs at the 2022 midseason point
By Dean Jones
What are the biggest needs facing the Carolina Panthers in 2023 based on their efforts over the first half of the season?
The Carolina Panthers have concluded the opening half of what’s been a dramatic 2022 season so far. Plenty of changes have taken place across the organization, which appears to be one in flux after deciding to fire head coach Matt Rhule and trade away two established offensive playmakers in Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson.
There hasn’t been much to cheer for Panthers fans through nine games. Improvements are coming gradually under interim head coach Steve Wilks, but there’s just no telling how long it’ll take to clean up the almighty mess left behind by Rhule.
Although there is a lot of football left, what the Panthers might need in 2023 to take that next step is becoming clearer. It also helps that a more collective approach to recruitment is coming in the wake of Rhule’s enforced removal.
With this in mind, here are the five biggest needs Carolina must address next spring at the 2022 midseason point.
Big Need No. 1
Carolina Panthers must bolster the skill positions
D’Onta Foreman and Terrace Marshall Jr. seem to be coming along with more involvement after the Carolina Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson. But it would be wise for the organization to bolster their skill positions next spring regardless.
No team can even have enough individuals capable of making big plays in key moments. Foreman is doing enough to earn an extension, but further reinforcements should be sought and especially given how much draft capital the team now has after a busy period of transactions.
McCaffrey was the heart and soul of Carolina’s offense. Replacing such an influential figure effectively will go a long way to ensuring a new head coach gets off on the right foot.