Panthers 2021 TE review: Will Carolina’s tight ends finally be relevant again?

Over the next few weeks, we’re taking a look at each position on the Panthers 2021 squad, evaluating the changes since 2020 and projecting the unit’s outlook for this season.

Following our evaluations of the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers, we’ll turn to an all-but-forgotten position last season: the tight ends.

Major changes: A (nearly) complete overhaul

Last season, the Panthers’ No. 1 tight end option, Ian Thomas, ranked 56th at the position in receiving yards. Four players on the team racked up more receptions than Thomas. He appeared in all 16 games last season but still had fewer receiving yards than Christian McCaffrey, who only played in three of them. It would be an understatement to state that tight ends were a nearly irrelevant pass-catching component of Joe Brady’s offense in 2020.

Chris Manhertz, the team’s backup tight end, consistently saw more snaps in a blocking role than a route-running one, and he was really good at what he did. Former NFL offensive lineman and current NFL Network analysts Brian Baldinger highlighted Manhertz’s abilities as a blocker in 2019, calling him the “unheralded hero for [the] Panthers.” Unfortunately, the new front office in Carolina wasn’t willing to offer Manhertz enough money to keep him around, leading to the Jacksonville Jaguars scooping him up on a two-year deal worth $7.25 million.

This season, Scott Fitterer and company set out to change that narrative. Rhule and Fitterer’s “targeted approach” to the 2021 offseason included plenty of low-key moves, including the acquisition of Dan Arnold for just $6 million over two years. If Arnold is the upgrade over Thomas, draft pick Tommy Tremble is the replacement for Manhertz. Tremble, considered the best blocking tight end in this year’s draft class, looks to make an immediate impact as a run-blocker, something that could prove even more crucial with the current state of Carolina’s offensive line.

The big question: Who steps up to help Sam Darnold?

Panthers fans know every QB needs two things to succeed: protection and weapons. Every time a quarterback has had one of them in Carolina, they’ve lacked the other. Like former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said at TEU, tight ends can do both, filling the role of “that fifteen million dollar left tackle” and “that fifteen million dollar wide receiver.” With a solid group at this position, the Panthers may finally be able to overlook their protection woes and equip Sam Darnold with the tools for success.

Luckily, offensive coordinator Joe Brady seems to understand that. Brady intends to utilize all three of the team’s weapons in whatever role they can fill, and he specifically mentioned expanding Tremble’s role to include pass-catching. In short, look forArnold in the red-zone, Tremble as a physical blocker and route-runner and Thomas as a developing pass-catcher with fewer reps than before.

Better or worse? Better

Losing one of the best blocking tight ends in the game stings, but Carolina made up for it. On the pass-catching side of the position, the six-foot-six Arnold is the red-zone threat Thomas never became, and on the blocking side, Tremble should fill Manhertz’s shoes. Much of the team’s success relies on one of the tight ends having a breakout season, but if that happens, then Darnold has the potential to enjoy a career-changing campaign.