Panthers defense will rely on returning veterans stepping up on and off field in 2020
When the Panthers selected a record seven defensive players in this year’s NFL draft, much of the focus, deservedly so, turned to the influx of new players added to the unit.
From defensive tackle Derrick Brown to safety Jeremy Chinn, many of the rookies on the Panthers’ roster are expected to contribute right away.
But it is the returning defensive starters from last year that will play an important role in stepping up to guide the young players after many of the defense’s key contributors walked out the door this spring. That includes linebacker Luke Kuechly, who decided to retire in January, and defensive end Mario Addison, who led the team in sacks the past two years.
With Kuechly now working in the front office as a pro scout and Addison in Buffalo, the ability of this defense to succeed will rely on players taking over new roles. That’s something that linebacker Shaq Thompson is well aware of.
“(My) personal goals are to go out there and be a leader. One of my brothers retired last year, and I know he would probably tell me the same. Step up and be a leader,” Thompson said this week. “That’s what I’m going to do for him and myself and this team that we have.”
Thompson signed a four-year, $54 million extension in December. He will need to emerge in a big way to replace Kuechly, along with linebacker Tahir Whitehead, who was signed during free agency and is expected to fill the middle linebacker spot. There is perhaps no bigger challenge on this defense than taking over the position that has such a strong reputation on the Panthers over the past decade from staples like Kuechly and Thomas Davis. Since 2012, no player in the NFL has had as many tackles as Kuechly (1,092). Davis was right behind him with the fourth-most tackles over that stretch (804).
On the defensive line, Kawann Short, the oldest defensive player on the roster and only returning 2019 Panthers team captain, is coming back from a season-ending shoulder injury. The defensive tackle’s presence was missed. From 2015-18, he led the Panthers in tackles for loss (47), forced fumbles (seven) and had the second-most sacks (27.5) behind Mario Addison.
“(Having Short and first-round pick Derrick Brown is going to make things) a lot easier,” second-year defensive end Brian Burns said. “I need those guys, man. They are going to take up a lot of attention, and I’m hoping I’ll have a lot of one-on-ones on the outside (because of it).”
Brown shared this week that he and Short, 31, spent some time working out together this offseason and that he has already begun to learn from the eight-year veteran.
“(He’s) just trying to put that wisdom into me that he’s developed over all these years,” Brown said. “He’s got to play with all these great guys and have them alongside him. He’s, with open arms, giving me knowledge.”
Almost every defensive position on the Panthers’ roster has at least one player with experience in the NFL and the organization. At safety, it’s Tre Boston, one of the team’s more vocal players, who is back on a three-year, $18 million deal. Cornerback Donte Jackson is back for his third season with a lot still to prove after a less than stellar end to the 2019 season, and without counterpart James Bradberry, who is now with the Giants.
The development of the young players on the roster is important for the long-term. The returning veterans’ ability to step into new roles or guide those players will define how or if this unit is able to compete against the strong offensive teams (hello, Tom Brady) that play in the NFC South.
Burns is a player to keep an eye on as one of the emerging leaders and is set up to have a big season. As the defense transitions from Ron Rivera’s 3-4 base last season to a 4-3 under Matt Rhule, the pass rusher added 15 pounds this offseason after his wrist injury last year limited his ability to work out.
The second-year player was in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year early last season with 4.5 sacks in the first six games, in addition to a fumble return for a touchdown. With the impact of the injury, his production declined in the second half of the season, and he was also publicly disappointed in his decreased playing time.
Although Burns is keeping his personal goals for 2020 “classified,” he was open to sharing his belief that a second-year player could be a leader on this or any defense, as long as it’s backed up performance. For the Panthers, those leaders stepping up on and off the field will be more important than ever before.
“I think it’s all about how you carry yourself, honestly,” Burns said. “How you go about things, you’re doing everything right and you hold people accountable. I feel like you could be a leader your first year, but you also got to back it up on the field.”
