4 Carolina Panthers players who excelled under Steve Wilks in 2022

D’onta Foreman – Carolina Panthers RB

• 2022 stats under Matt Rhule: 7 touches, 18 total yards, 0 touchdowns
• 2022 stats under Steve Wilks: 201 touches, 922 total yards, 5 touchdowns

Chuba Hubbard isn’t the only running back to have seen improvement post-Matt Rhule, as D’Onta Foreman earned RB1 status following Christian McCaffrey’s trade to the San Francisco 49ers. The powerful player was remarkable after taking over lead-back duties in 2022, seeing his snap share increase from 7.4 percent to 44.3% from Week 5 onwards.

The team’s leading rusher was expected to have a substantial role in the offense even with McCaffrey. But after the superstar tailback was shipped out for multiple draft picks, Foreman blossomed into one of the better playmakers on the Carolina Panthers.

In fact, Foreman had as many 100-yard rush games this season as McCaffrey. An impressive feat considering he was thrown in at the deep end with almost no notice.

An unrestricted free agent after the season, Foreman has put himself in a good position to make a lot of money. Whether that be in Carolina or elsewhere if he’s allowed to hit the free-agent market.

With the chance to bring back both Foreman and Hubbard, the duo looks to be one of the best tailback tandems in the NFC for the 2023 season.