4 Carolina Panthers that far exceeded expectations in 2022
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers far exceeded expectations during another eventful 2022 campaign for the organization?
There wasn’t much for the Carolina Panthers to cheer earlier in the campaign. However, things came on significantly over the second half of 2022 as interim head coach Steve Wilks restored a sense of respectability to an organization that was drowning under Matt Rhule’s leadership.
This puts the Panthers in a strong position as they prepare for an important offseason. Some big decisions face team owner David Tepper and other key figures, but the chance for progression is evident if they hit some home runs regarding recruitment.
As for the players, they benefitted enormously from a more refined, collective approach. Something that led many to greatly surpass the performance levels anticipated before competitive action commenced.
With this in mind, here are four Panthers who far exceeded expectations in 2022.
Panther No. 1
Eddy Pineiro – Carolina Panthers K
Zane Gonzalez going down with a season-ending injury left the Carolina Panthers desperately seeking a reliable kicker once again. Eddy Pineiro became the answer to their prayers.
Pineiro was almost flawless throughout the campaign. His ability to bounce back from a horror show at the Atlanta Falcons also spoke volumes about the player’s demeanor and the confidence in the kicker within the locker room.
What the future holds for Pineiro is unclear. But his consistency means there could be a kicking competition in training camp with Gonzalez upon his return from injury.