Which Carolina Panthers enter the 2023 offseason in make-or-break situations regarding their overall status when the campaign arrives?
The Carolina Panthers have made an impressive start to their off-season plans. New head coach Frank Reich and his all-star coaching staff form the foundations for a potentially successful future, but the onus is now on others to raise contributions and do their bit for the franchise.
This comes through strong player recruitment, forming a solid plan for growth behind the scenes, and specific players making the strides needed to avoid further questions about their future, It’s a lot to ask, but there’s nothing to suggest this isn’t all possible now that Matt Rhule is no longer holding the Panthers back.
Fans are tired of underachievement. It’s been a long time since they had a legitimate contender to cheer for, but there is a newfound sense of hope that Carolina has written some serious wrongs and can look forward with positivity at long last.
However, for these four Panthers, the offseason and the 2023 campaign represent a make-or-break situation.
Panther No. 1
David Tepper – Carolina Panthers owner
One cannot fault David Tepper for the way he’s gone about his business this offseason. The Carolina Panthers owner is on a road to potential redemption and is off to a good start, but there is much work ahead for the billionaire in pursuit of getting fans firmly back onside.
Staying out of football affairs and forming a concise plan for a new practice facility after the Rock Hill debacle would be a good place to start. If Tepper can accomplish this, it’s a sign he is growing into his role as an NFL owner.
Scott Fitterer – Carolina Panthers GM
Much was made of Matt Rhule’s all-conquering power within the Carolina Panthers throughout his three-and-a-half years at the helm. This was a stipulation granted by team owner David Tepper to prevent the college coach from joining the New York Giants.
One that backfired on the owner and Carolina in the biggest way imaginable.
Thankfully, this is not a problem as the 2023 offseason gathers pace. Tepper is moving forward with a more traditional approach, which puts the playing personnel onus squarely on the shoulders of general manager Scott Fitterer for the first time.
Fitterer is widely respected in league circles and has a strong plan in place. However, being connected to Rhule for so long makes him complicit in a series of cataclysmic moves that set the franchise back considerably, so he’ll want to remove this stench at the earliest possible opportunity.
This all starts by fixing the quarterback position. Fitterer wants to draft and develop, but their recent meeting with veteran free-agent Derek Carr – which Tepper also attended – indicates all options are being explored.
If Fitterer cannot make the most out of a substantial opportunity awaiting him this offseason, Tepper will have a big decision to make. This is a situation that might see the front office figure follow Rhule out of the door.
Keith Taylor Jr. – Carolina Panthers CB
Considering the encouragement surrounding Keith Taylor Jr. this time last year, nothing could be further from the truth right now. The cornerback took a major step backward in 2022, tumbling down the rotation and failing to capitalize on prominent reps when they arrived.
Taylor’s completion percentage allowed came in at 68.6 percent, which was down on his rookie campaign but not exactly what many anticipated. Perhaps most concerning was his passer rating allowed when targeted, which rocketed up to 129.0 as a result of his efforts.
This leaves Taylor’s future with the Carolina Panthers hanging in the balance. To put it mildly.
While there’s a chance some improved coaching can get him back on track, there’s just no telling for sure. And those in power won’t hesitate to strengthen their options if the right opportunities present themselves in free agency or the 2023 NFL Draft.
Taylor has a clean sheet under the Panthers’ new staff team. If the former fifth-round pick out of Washington bounces back, then he can expect a rotational role within Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 base scheme that features plenty of nickel packages.
If not, then it’s not going to end well for the player. Whether that’s by becoming a depth chart afterthought or being removed from the equation entirely is another matter.
Matt Corral – Carolina Panthers QB
All the current speculation surrounds what the Carolina Panthers are going to do at the quarterback spot. This centers on new arrivals rather than focusing on what the team already has, which isn’t much all things considered.
Jacob Eason has little chance of making the team despite his previous connection to Frank Reich. But Matt Corral is a different story.
The Panthers thought enough of Corral to move up and land the signal-caller at No. 94 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, mismanaged reps in camp and a serious preseason foot injury meant he was unable to make a good first impression through no real fault of his own.
Competition is coming for Corral. There is absolutely no doubt about that.
But the player has already made his intentions clear to fight all the way in pursuit of involvement.
Corral has the benefit of experienced coaches with proven credentials when it comes to developing quarterbacks. Although much will depend on how Reich and others perceive his abilities and just who Carolina acquires from free agency or the draft.
The former Ole Miss stud is a fiery individual who’ll go out swinging if that turns out to be the case. But regardless of which way this unfolds for Corral, he will give it everything and let the chips fall where they may.