What It Means:

"This is a deep running back group. We know that," Gettleman said. "You’ve got to evaluate the film.... and we’ll go from there." Jonathan Stewart will turn 30 in March, and while it appears he will enter 2017 as the starter, the Panthers need to start looking toward the future. Carolina did spend a fifth-round pick on Cameron Artis-Payne two years ago, but he does not appear to be the long-term answer.

Among the 42 running backs to top 100 carries this season, Stewart's Rushing Net Expected Points (NEP) per carry ranked 29th. He was 27th in Rushing Success Rate as well (the percent of rushing plays resulting in a positive NEP gain).