Panthers can be a sleeping giant if Matt Rhule saves Sam Darnold

The Panthers hired Matt Rhule because of his ability to be an offensive guru. His primary task this year is to work his magic on Sam Darnold. 

Sam Darnold looked like a CFL quarterback than a Pro Bowler during his time with the Jets. The Panthers made a sizeable gamble on him as a reclamation project this offseason.

The pressure is on head coach Matt Rhule and his offensive coaching staff to make that gamble pay off if Carolina wants to be a playoff team in 2021.

The Panthers front office still sees the high level of talent that made Darnold the No. 3 overall pick back in 2018. The former Southern Cal star wilted under the bright lights of New York City media, but he’s got a golden opportunity to revive his flailing career in Carolina.

Saving Darnold isn’t just up to Rhule

The pressure heaped on offensive coordinator Joe Brady is a big piece of the puzzle for any potential Panthers’ success this season. Despite only being an NFL offensive coordinator for one season, Brady earned several head coaching interviews this offseason. His star is on the rise and he can cement his reputation as a “quarterback whisperer” by turning Darnold into a quality starter.

Rhule does have a part to play though. His fingerprints are all over Carolina’s offensive personnel. The construction of quality weapons around Darnold is arguably the biggest reason why Panthers fans can legitimately have optimism about the 2021 offense with Darnold at the controls.

The wide receiver group is scary

D.J. Moore was the No. 24 pick in Darnold’s draft class but his first few seasons in the NFL have gone much better. He’s comfortably established himself as a top-notch starter on the outside. He racked up 1,193 receiving yards on just 66 catches last season. He’s got work to do to truly ascend to Carolina’s No. 1 option in the passing game, but he has the natural talent to make life significantly easier on Darnold.

Rhule’s decision to bring in his former college player, Robby Anderson, to man the other side of the formation has paid off big for the Panthers. He actually led Carolina with 95 catches a season ago. His ability to keep the chains moving combined with his elite speed makes him a big-time threat for opposing secondaries.

The true X-factor of the group is rookie Terrace Marshall. Some Panthers fans regarded him to be somewhat of a luxury pick when Carolina selected him in Round 2 of this year’s draft. Brady is very familiar with the former LSU star’s talents during their time together in Baton Rouge. If he becomes a top-notch option for Carolina in the slot then their receiving corps will be a nightmare for opposing secondaries.

Last, but certainly not least, Christian McCaffrey’s ability to be a top-notch pass-catcher out of the backfield will give Darnold one of the best safety blankets in the league. He may be listed as a running back on the depth chart, but a big chunk of his value comes with his ability to make plays in the passing game.

Protecting Darnold could be the key

All of the upside present in Carolina’s receiving corps won’t mean anything if Darnold doesn’t have time to throw the ball. McCaffrey’s presence in the backfield should give the Panthers a solid run game to lean on, but the offensive line still needs to hold up on obvious passing downs.

Taylor Moton gives Carolina a star at the right tackle position, but the options at left tackle are a cause for concern. Cam Erving has flashed talent during his pro career, but there’s a reason why he was available at such a modest price in free agency. Other teams aren’t convinced that he can hold up as a high-level starter on the blindside over the course of a full season.

In many ways, Erving will be the make-or-break option on the outside. The Panthers will try to give him help with tight ends and backs to give him a boost in pass protection, but it should be a sore spot for Carolina all year long.

So what can the Panthers actually achieve in 2021?

Expecting Carolina to suddenly become a Super Bowl contender is pure fantasy. However, a rather surprising run to a Wild Card berth in 2021 really wouldn’t be all that surprising.

The Buccaneers are still the kings of the NFC South but the Saints should fall off sharply after the retirement of Drew Brees. Jameis Winston gives them a talented quarterback to leverage, but consistency is not the former Tampa Bay star’s forte.

The Falcons could also be in a position to take a step back. They still have Matt Ryan to pilot their offense, but losing Julio Jones is a cruel blow for the veteran signal-caller. An ugly start to the 2021 campaign could usher in a rebuild in Atlanta.

That leaves the Panthers with a legitimate chance to seize the No. 2 spot behind the Buccaneers. That’s enough to at least put them in contention for a postseason bid. Rhule presiding over a Darnold renaissance in Carolina this season could significantly speed up the Panthers’ timeline for contention.