The Carolina Panthers are currently entrusting their team to Steve Wilks as their interim head coach.
With the Panthers at 1-4 in the NFC South, they sit at the bottom of their division.
However, the team’s issues can be fixed by Wilks if he puts in the work with the Panthers roster.
But he must first identify those issues needing the most work in Carolina.
So what are three problems that Wilks needs to fix in Carolina to turn things around?
3. Work With Offensive Line To Make Improvements
The Panthers offensive line came into 2022 as the 24th-ranked O-line in the NFL.
PFF has the #Panthers offensive line ranked 24th in their article this morning. I understand the hesitancy to rank them higher because of how much they have sucked lately, but I think with Ickey and our additions this off-season that we’ll be better than this. pic.twitter.com/UI6Ibx4QLA
— That Panthers Feed #Keeppounding (@ThomasFloyd12) June 13, 2022
However, the line has slowly made improvements through the season.
But if Wilks wants the Panthers to continue to make progress, he needs to continue working with that offensive line.
While the unit regressed in their game against the San Francisco 49ers, there’s hope they can improve.
They have talent in Ikem Ekwonu, which gives them a starting point at tackle.
If they can work with the rookie tackle, and others on that line, they can make vast improvements over the offensive line of old in Carolina.
2. Work With Running Game To Find Consistency
Running back Christian McCaffrey is having an odd season to start the year.
While the star is coming off multiple injuries from 2021, he’s only had flashes of excellence this season.
However, the star might be out of Carolina after the firing of Matt Rhule.
Whether this happens won’t affect how Wilks needs to work with the running game to find consistency.
The Panthers started 2022 with an awful 54 total rushing yards against the Cleveland Browns’ defense.
Browns 26, Panthers 24
Baker Mayfield falls just short in his revenge game. Browns were stellar up front, both sides of the ball. 217 rushing yards to Carolina's 54. Won TOP by almost 17 mins
Not sure Cleveland will win much with Jacoby Brissett (18-34, 147, 1 TD)
— Colton Pool (@CPoolReporter) September 11, 2022
While they bounced back with 100+ rushing yard games against the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints, they haven’t shown up in their last two games.
One of the issues is a lack of running plays, which Wilks can change with him taking over the team.
They can’t win games without the help of a running game, which is non-existent in Carolina this season.
1. Find Stability At Quarterback With Either P. J. Walker Or Sam Darnold
While the Panthers put faith in Baker Mayfield this season, that faith in him has backfired on the team.
Mayfield has come out with his worst start to an NFL season, which leads fans to wanting him benched.
However, with him having an ankle injury, Wilks needs to find stability at QB with someone else.
Re: #Panthers QB Baker Mayfield’s previously reported high-ankle sprain: League source confirms the injury and says he has a day-to-day outlook.
High-ankle sprains are typically multi-week injuries. But Mayfield played the entire second half on it, so pain tolerance is a factor.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) October 12, 2022
His two choices are P. J. Walker and Sam Darnold.
While Darnold is out with an ankle injury of his own, he might return soon.
But Walker is ready to go now and is 2-0 as a starting QB for the Panthers.
While he’s not the greatest QB, he’s previously won games as the team’s starting QB.
With Mayfield out, working with Walker and establishing stability with him this season is how he fixes the QB problem in Carolina.
If he doesn’t, the Panthers will need to wait until 2023 to have a better choice at QB to lead their franchise.
NEXT: 3 Players Who The Panthers Could Trade