Which Carolina Panthers will be glad to see the back of what became another tumultuous 2022 season across the organization?
The 2022 season was anything but dull where the Carolina Panthers are concerned. After turmoil, disillusion, and heartache, some genuine hope emerged that there could be light at the end of a very dark tunnel after one of the most turbulent spells in franchise history.
Steve Wilks replaced Matt Rhule as head coach and immediately restored the culture that’s formed a key part of Carolina’s success since its inception. A notion that was seemingly lost or perhaps even ignored entirely under the previous regime.
What comes next for the Panthers and Wilks is to be determined. But if influential decision-makers appoint and recruit well this offseason, a potential playoff push might be possible when competitive action commences in 2023.
It wasn’t a bed of roses for some. With that in mind, here are five Panthers who’ll be glad to see the back of another rollercoaster 2022 season.
Panther No. 1
Rashard Higgins – Carolina Panthers WR
The mysterious disappearance of Rashard Higgins from the Carolina Panthers’ plans was bizarre. Despite his previous solid production with the Cleveland Browns, there was something preventing the coaching staff from placing any confidence in the wide receiver, who attained just nine snaps on offense during the campaign after catching the eye in training camp.
Higgins is unlikely to come back. Just what his NFL future looks like in free agency this time around is murky, especially with another batch of talented college players looking for an opportunity in the pros.
Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers had a big decision to make with Donte Jackson last spring. Their former second-round selection was due a new deal and got one after those in power allocated some significant financial resources in his direction rather than keeping All-Pro Stephon Gilmore on the books.
Jackson’s influence on and off the field and the fact he was drafted by the Panthers played a role in this final outcome. However, indifferent production in 2022 coupled with a devastating injury mean things didn’t go according to plan for the one-time LSU standout.
The torn Achilles suffered by Jackson is a body blow. One that could mean the speedy defensive back is forced to miss most of next season depending on his rehabilitation.
Carolina must address their cornerback options as a matter of urgency this offseason. C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor Jr. look like complimentary pieces at best, with Jaycee Horn also missing the crucial final fortnight thanks to a broken wrist to further complicate matters.
Jackson has the talent and his leadership is unquestioned. However, this season won’t be remembered with much fondness given everything that transpired.
And there’s just no telling whether he’ll ever come back to the same level, in all honesty.
David Tepper – Carolina Panthers owner
Another year, another losing season for the Carolina Panthers under David Tepper.
The billionaire has endured nothing but misery since purchasing the team from Jerry Richardson. Upon further examination, most of it is his own doing.
Tepper’s persistence to keep Matt Rhule – or even appoint him in the first place – was a grave error in judgment and left the Panthers deep within a huge hole they couldn’t emerge from in 2022. He finally saw the light after another dismal loss against the San Francisco 49ers, but the damage to morale and franchise culture went way beyond any record on the football field.
There was also the situation regarding Carolina’s supposed headquarters at Rock Hill that became another stain on Tepper’s early legacy. After settling any financial dispute out of court to avoid legal proceedings, nothing but an unfinished iron structure remains on what the owner promised to be an industry-leading, Avengers-style facility.
The time for talk and bold statements is over for Tepper. Fans have almost no confidence in his ability to successfully run an NFL franchise, so actions to restore some faith are of critical importance this offseason.
Whether Tepper can do this and stay out of his own way remains to be seen. But the owner cannot afford more misfires after a rocky start to life in Charlotte.
P.J. Walker – Carolina Panthers QB
Things looked incredibly bleak for P.J. Walker this summer. Sam Darnold’s contract meant the Carolina Panthers had to keep him around, but this did not prevent two eye-catching moves that were made to hopefully solve their complex riddle at the quarterback position.
The Panthers moved up to No. 94 overall for Matt Corral and bolstered their options further with the high-profile trade acquisition of Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns. This left Walker on the outside looking in with little chance of making the roster.
However, a serious foot injury to Corral and Darnold spending the first half of 2022 on injured/reserve ensured Walker got a reprieve. Mayfield struggled to make the necessary impact before hitting the shelf himself, so the former Temple star went from afterthought to Carolina’s starting option in Week 6 at the Los Angeles Rams.
Walker’s time under center lasted until Week 10 and also came with a phenomenal performance at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. But an injury at just the wrong time provided Darnold a window of opportunity to make a better go of things and the rest is history.
With a new regime coming into the fold and the possibility of drafting a franchise quarterback also factoring into the equation, the one-time XFL MVP candidate’s time in Carolina might be at an end. Walker can be a decent backup in the right fit, but the Panthers need to change their direction in the worst possible way.
Henry Anderson – Carolina Panthers DE
Life is full of twists and turns. NFL players are not exempt from this and Henry Anderson’s 2022 season with the Carolina Panthers was another fine example.
The defensive end joined the Panthers early in the campaign thanks to his run-stopping prowess on the edge. It took time for Anderson to get going, but he gradually emerged into an important rotational piece for a defensive line that made great strides as the season wore on.
This was essential considering the struggles Yetur Gross-Matos was going through. Just when it seemed like additional reps would be coming Anderson’s way, a serious health matter threw a wrench into his and Carolina’s plans.
After returning to the Panthers following an injury-related absence, Anderson revealed that he suffered a minor stroke in October. This occurred a day before Carolina welcomed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Bank of America Stadium for what turned out to be Steve Wilks’ first win as interim head coach.
"“I am glad that I was kind of oblivious when it happened because I would have been a little more panicked had I realized what was going on. But like I said, I got pretty lucky.”"
After a lengthy recuperation process, Anderson returned to the field in Week 14 at the Seattle Seahawks. He played 40 percent of the team’s defensive snaps during their season-finale against the New Orleans Saints.
Anderson’s determination to bounce back should be commended. Whether that’s enough for an extension is another question.