The Carolina Panthers made headlines with the release of running back C.J. Anderson. However, head coach Ron Rivera indicated that it may have been a long time coming.

Despite plenty of talk about a tandem backfield in Carolina prior to the 2018 NFL season, it became apparent that the Panthers committed to McCaffrey as the workhorse. According to Bill Voth of the team's official website, Rivera admits Anderson's frustration could be felt in the locker room:

RR admits “you could feel” CJ Anderson’s frustration with his limited role.

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Rivera's comments should come as no surprise. There was plenty of speculation regarding the potential 1-2 punch in Carolina. Although the Panthers had invested a first-round pick in McCaffrey, they were still somewhat hesitant to hand him such a heavy workload. That notion clearly changed throughout the season, and it ultimately resulted in Anderson's release.

There is no question that McCaffrey is in the midst of a breakout season in his first year under offensive coordinator Norv Turner. His versatile skill set makes him an integral part of the offense. He has registered 579 yards, and four touchdowns on 123 carries while hauling in 54 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns.

Unfortunately, his emergence ultimately relegated Anderson to the sideline this season. He has 24 carries for 104 yards to go with one catch for 24 yards and a touchdown through nine games. His production is a far cry from the 1,000-yard campaign he enjoyed a year ago with the Denver Broncos. Even though Anderson has struggled to get on the field this year, his resume suggests that he could draw interest from a number of teams looking to add some depth to their backfield.