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Carolina Panthers: 5 burning questions for 2018

By Rucker Haringey

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws downfield during organized team activities in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws downfield during organized team activities in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, May 29, 2018. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 29: Christian McCaffrey (22) runs with the ball after making a catch during the OTA (Organized Training Activities) at the Carolina Panthers training facility in Charlotte, N.C. on May 29, 2018. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 29: Christian McCaffrey (22) runs with the ball after making a catch during the OTA (Organized Training Activities) at the Carolina Panthers training facility in Charlotte, N.C. on May 29, 2018. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Can Christian McCaffrey be the No. 1 running back?

The Panthers’ front office upset some fans with their decision to let Jonathan Stewart leave via free agency. His departure will require Christian McCaffrey to assume a much larger workload this season.

Last season Stewart carried the ball 199 times for the Carolina offense compared to McCaffrey’s total of 117. The second-year back won’t be expected to assume all of Stewart’s vacated carries, but the ratio should easily flip. In other words, McCaffrey should finish the season somewhere around 200 carries if all goes according to plan.

If Carolina is going to give McCaffrey the ball that much, he’ll need to improve his yards per carry average of 3.7. Something north of four will be an absolute requirement. Anything less than that will really hamstring the Panthers run game.

Next: 5 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers in 2018

Specifically, Rivera and the rest of the coaching staff want to see if McCaffrey can improve running the ball between the tackles. He showed the ability to excel running inside in college, but he didn’t do much of it during his rookie season. That task went to Stewart instead. In 2018, McCaffrey will need to be more of a staple and less of a gadget for the Panthers offense.

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