SPARTANBURG, SC – The Carolina Panthers report to their 2022 NFL training camp on Tuesday at Wofford College. Here’s a closer look at some of the stories going into camp:
The most compelling battle of the position: Center back easily. General manager Scott Fitterer added competition at every position to bolster the overall roster. But the biggest question remains at quarterback, as it has been since the middle of the 2018 season, when Cam Newton began to struggle with a shoulder injury. Trading for former selection no. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, three weeks into training camp, reinforced that the Panthers aren’t satisfied that Sam Darnold can lead them to the playoffs. Fitterer saying both quarterbacks will get equal reps in camp further highlights the uncertainty, especially after all the praise heaped on Darnold during offseason workouts. Fitterer not only traded for a veteran quarterback, he traded for one who led the Cleveland Browns to an 11-5 record and a playoff win in 2020. Darnold is 17-32 as a starter and has never been to the playoffs. He also went 4-7 last season in his first year with the Panthers after a 3-0 start. Mayfield’s dynamic personality versus Darnold’s stoic demeanor makes this compelling as well.
Player with the most to try: That could be Darnold. Or Mayfield. But for the sake of not piling on the quarterback spot, let’s go with running back Christian McCaffrey. When healthy, he is one of the best and most versatile weapons in the NFL. What McCaffrey needs to prove is that he can stay healthy. He has played in just 10 of 33 games over the past two seasons due to injuries. The Panthers are 6-17 without him during that span. Coach Matt Rhule calls it unfortunate that injuries have affected McCaffrey’s playing time, noting that they have all been of the soft-tissue variety. But McCaffrey was concerned enough during the offseason that he reached out to Hall of Fame linebacker Marshall Faulk for coaching advice in hopes that something would help him stay on the field longer. A healthy McCaffrey will make it easier for Darnold or Mayfield to prove themselves.
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The biggest question: Again, let’s avoid the quarterback and go with will the rebuilt offensive line be an upgrade? That group was a disaster in 2021, allowing the fifth-most sacks (52). So Fitterer made a commitment to fix it. He added guard Austin Corbett and center Bradley Bozeman in free agency. He made Ikem Ekwonu the sixth overall draft pick to play left tackle. It was the first time Carolina spent a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since Jeff Otah in 2008. Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus ranked the revamped line 24th and in his words a “rated conservative on what was one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season — but it’s one that’s now bursting with potential after multiple offseason moves.” This group is a big improvement on paper, but until they come together on the field, a question remains.
The Robbie Anderson Factor: During the offseason, the 29-year-old wide receiver changed the spelling of his first name from Robby to Robbie, changed his jersey number from 11 to 3 and changed his mind about a possible retirement by deleting the reference in a tweet. And when news first broke that Carolina might trade Mayfield, he responded on Twitter with “Nooooo.” But what Anderson needs to change the most is getting back to the production he had in 2020 when he had 95 catches for 1,096 yards. If he’s in the 53-catch mode he was a year ago that would put a lot of pressure on second-year receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., who struggled as a rookie. That will put a lot more pressure on whoever starts at quarterback. Outside of DJ Moore, who has passed 1,000 yards receiving three years in a row, the Panthers don’t have another proven receiver outside of Anderson.
Camp Preview: Mayfield won’t be the starting quarterback, at least initially. This may come as a shock to the 91.6% in my informal Twitter poll that predicted Mayfield to be the Week 1 starter. But Darnold has an entire offseason learning Ben McAdoo’s system and terminology to his advantage. Darnold is also healthy, while Mayfield is about six months removed from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left non-throwing shoulder. He is on track for a full recovery, but this is still a hurdle to overcome. Darnold has nothing to lose for the first time in his NFL career, so he has less pressure than the top pick in the 2018 draft.
