5 pleasant surprises from the Carolina Panthers 2022 season

D’Onta Foreman – Carolina Panthers RB

• 203 carries
• 914 rushing yards
• 5 rushing touchdowns

Who would have thought that after the Christian McCaffrey trade, the Carolina Panthers would be a better team on offense? To the surprise of everyone, they were, and a big reason is the play of D’Onta Foreman.

The running back stepped in as the lead ball carrier and never looked back, rushing for 914 yards in 2022. Almost all of them came after the Panthers traded the league’s best dual-threat weapon.

Foreman was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason to rotate into games. By the end of the campaign, the Panthers relied on him as the lead back.

People expected Foreman to be a positive addition to the team. But not to the extent he was and especially after his lack of involvement under previous head coach Matt Rhule.

Foreman’s play led to the rejuvenation of the Carolina offense. Ben McAdoo was able to depend on him in games, which was a huge plus in challenging circumstances.

Not only did the offense benefit from this. But so did the defense.

Foreman is a free agent this offseason. Despite a younger running back being cheaper and perhaps as good, re-signing the Texas product would give general manager Scott Fitterer and the team comfort in knowing that they have a productive running back they can trust.