Offensive Line Headlines Offseason Needs For The Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have some serious work to do this offseason, and their needs are more than just positional.

After a 3-0 start, the Carolina Panthers looked like year two would be the year to turn the corner under head coach Matt Rhule. The defense was flying around and making plays, and Sam Darnold was doing enough to carry a Joe Brady offense. Fast forward from that start, and the questions are back. It isn’t just about firing Brady as a scapegoat, Darnold struggling, or a lack of resources put into the offensive line for the quarterback you traded for who has struggled in the past.

No, there’s more. When asked about why they picked up Darnold’s fifth year option, Rhule was at a loss for words. Earlier this week, there was a conversation regarding the lack of talent on the offensive line, which led to Rhule talking about how the Panthers didn’t value Rashawn Slater because of arm length, believing he was a guard. It’s not just about saying something that other teams reportedly did as well, but then also drafting Brady Christensen, who had similar questions, and subsequently trying him at tackle.

This offseason will be an important one for the Carolina Panthers. Rhule somehow survived “Black Monday” where many coaches and general managers were let go. Now, he has to get things back on the right track. It won’t be easy, but it starts with addressing the needs for the offseason. There are a couple obvious ones, but others will be more difficult to attain. Let’s look towards their offseason and the 2022 NFL Draft to find what needs to be done.