The Panthers are staring down the barrel of a lengthy rebuild. Can Matt Rhule make Carolina respectable in his first season as their head coach?
The departure of leaders like Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton have the Panthers on a course for a total roster renovation in 2020. The challenge for Matt Rhule isn’t to forge a Super Bowl contender in Year 1. Instead, it’s his job to set the franchise on course for long-term success.
Signing Teddy Bridgewater to take over for Newton gives the offense a chance to be successful. Christian McCaffrey is squarely in the prime of his career and will get a massive workload in Joe Brady’s new offense. If the offensive line holds up, there should be enough weapons to build a top 15 NFL unit.
The quality of personnel on defense is significantly worse. Kuechly’s retirement leaves the team short of star power at linebacker, but that could be the defense’s strongest position group. Losing James Bradberry in free agency leaves the secondary without a legitimate No. 1 corner. Neither Gerald McCoy or Dontari Poe was all that good in 2019, but their departures leaves the Panthers short of talent on the defensive line.
Add it all up and the Panthers look to be in line for a high draft choice next year. Their chances of securing the No. 1 pick will hinge on the following five bold predictions.
5. Will Grier will be released
Greir was a third round pick back in 2019, but the new regime isn’t going to be overly concerned with his draft pedigree. The signing of Phillip Walker makes him the team’s third choice at quarterback.
The Panthers won’t have the roster depth to keep three signal callers on the active roster. Grier might return via the practice squad but he’s going to be cut at least once in 2020.