Losing Greg Olsen was one of several devastating personnel changes this offseason for the Panthers. While Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly’s exits are more damaging, Olsen’s 13 years of experience and ability as a sure-handed pass catcher would have been invaluable commodities this season.
Olsen will now be suiting up for the non-division rival Seahawks, leaving behind another enormous question mark for a young roster. Third-year tight end Ian Thomas is hoping to be the answer. While he struggled with drops and didn’t get much playing time his first two seasons in the league, Thomas has flashed potential and should get a legitimate chance to be the TE1 in Carolina.
Speaking with reporters yesterday, Thomas admitted the team is still figuring out their style of play and how they’ll use the tight ends.
Panthers TE Ian Thomas says the team is still trying to figure out their style of play and how they will use the tight ends.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 18, 2020
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady gave us some idea of what he’s going to do in his first press conference with the Panthers. Brady’s most important point was essentially saying they will build the offense for the players they haven rather than forcing the scheme on everybody.
For this particular group of Panthers, that could mean a diminished role for the tight ends. Carolina’s roster is arguably strongest at wide receiver and running back, giving Brady and Teddy Bridgewater four accomplished receiving weapons to work with.
That means Thomas will have to earn his role. Coach Matt Rhule told the media yesterday he has what he needs to succeed, per the team website.
“He is a really talented player, and it’s his turn to step up and play, along with Chris Manhertz. Ian’s got the ability to get down the seam and also block at the point of attack. . . He has all the ability to do it, he just has to go out and do it. He just needs the reps to play.”
Manhertz is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, so Thomas will have to show his worth in other ways.
If he develops more reliable hands he could eventually be a significant factor for this offense, but for now it makes more sense to run things through Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and the other receivers.
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