The Carolina Panthers lost the services of some prominent locker room leaders this offseason. They made a concerted effort to go younger. And while this might not come with instant success. It does put them in a better position to possibly become a contender in the future.
This is particularly evident on the defensive side of the ball. The likes of Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and Mario Addison all opted to take their chances elsewhere. And the Panthers were dealt a significant blow when perennial All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly opted to retire in order to preserve his long-term health after eight prolific seasons.