In a season marked by struggles and shortcomings, the Carolina Panthers found themselves grappling with underperformance across both their rushing and passing games. With a meager 1,769 rushing yards, placing them in the bottom half of the league, and an abysmal total of just seven rushing touchdowns, the Panthers clearly have ground to make up. Their average of 4 yards per carry offered a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough to propel them out of the lower echelons of the league's rushing statistics.
When it came to the aerial assault, the numbers were even more disheartening. The Panthers ended the season last in passing yards, managing only 3,245 yards. Coupled with tying for the second-fewest passing touchdowns at 13 and ranking dead last in passing first-down percentage at 25.6%, it was apparent that the team faced significant challenges through the air. Despite these dismal stats, the high number of sacks, 65 to be exact, suggested that significant pressure was put on the quarterback, further complicating their offensive efforts.
The rookie season of quarterback Bryce Young was emblematic of the team's struggles. His record of 2-15 underscored the difficult transition from collegiate to professional play, magnified by the broader inefficiencies on the team. These issues were not lost on rookie head coach Dave Canales, who remains focused on a clear area for improvement. "It all starts with the run game," Canales emphasized, pointing towards the fundamental aspect that he believes will pivot the team's fortunes.
The recent offseason brought with it a wave of optimism stemming from cautious but necessary recalibrations. The Panthers have made strategic moves that signify a commitment to overhauling their offense. Bringing in guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis was a key step in fortifying the offensive line, which should provide a stronger foundation for both the run and pass games. Further, the selection of running back Jonathon Brooks in the draft indicates a clear intent to invigorate the rushing attack.
Canales articulated his offseason strategy with palpable conviction: "That's what this draft and this offseason was all about. I feel confident that we'll be able to have a successful run game, which, for me, opens everything else up. It helps third down, it helps move the ball and give you more opportunities." This philosophy underscores a back-to-basics approach, a fundamental restructuring aimed at making tangible improvements.
Leading the rushing lineup last season were Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders. Their performance will be key again, particularly as they now potentially share the backfield with the freshly drafted Brooks. The infusion of new talent alongside established players is a formula that the Panthers hope will yield more consistent and explosive results compared to last season's output.
As the Panthers look to turn the page on a difficult chapter, the team’s rejuvenation efforts are imperative. With foundational changes focused on the front line and a reimagined backfield, the team's capability to execute a robust rushing attack seems more promising. What remains to be seen is how these offseason maneuvers translate into on-field performance once the new season kicks off.
Ultimately, the enhancements to the offensive line, strategic acquisitions, and reinforced backfield reflect a concerted effort by the Panthers to recalibrate and rise above last place in pivotal offensive categories. Should these pieces fall together as hoped, the coming season could signal a turnaround for a team in dire need of resurgence.