Can the Carolina Panthers be 2022’s version of the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals? At least one NFL insider believes they could.
During a recent segment on Good Morning Football, Fox Sports senior national writer and NFL Network personality Peter Schrager picked the Panthers as his team to make a Bengals-like jump during the upcoming campaign. He started off his reasoning by shouting out two studs Carolina was largely without last year.
“I don’t see any scenario where the Carolina Panthers don’t improve greatly this season,” Schrager said. “I think the Carolina Panthers are due for at least a two or three-win bump. And I look at them because of what they’re getting back at the running back position in Christian McCaffrey, what they’re getting back at the cornerback position in Jaycee Horn and the upgrade they’re getting at quarterback.”
Injury troubles in 2021 for both McCaffrey and Horn began during the Panthers’ Week 3 win against the Houston Texans. The latter went on to miss the remainder of the season with a broken foot and the former sustained multiple injuries that led to him playing in just seven games all year.
Oh, wait, was Pete also on the verge of mentioning the highly publicized quarterback position, too . . . ?
“I do think Baker [Mayfield] is an upgrade over what they’ve had the last few years,” he added. “Whether it be a noble start by Sam Darnold into the Cam Newton thing and PJ Walker at the end.”
Mayfield is also returning from an injury of his own, a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder that hampered the majority of his final season with the Cleveland Browns. The former No. 1 overall pick tossed just 17 touchdowns to 13 interceptions over 14 games.
So, maybe all this team needs is a little TLC to add some more W’s in 2022.
