Former first round NFL Draft pick Christian McCaffrey recently inked a massive contract extension to remain with the Carolina Panthers. The veteran running back has become the face of the franchise over the course of the last several seasons. A well-rounded rusher with the capability of lining up to catch the football all over the field, McCaffrey is no doubt one of the best athletes that the game has to offer today.

However, it is another attribute that recently drew McCaffrey some additional praise from the Panthers' running backs coach.

“He is a tough, tough kid — very few negative runs,” said Jeff Nixon, who is also one of the Panthers' offensive assistant coaches, via the team's official website.

“He can pass protect, which is an underrated quality for a running back in the NFL because we're gonna throw the ball 60 to 65 percent of the time. You've got to be able to protect the quarterback, and Christian can do that.”

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Xavier Legette (South Carolina), Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri) both in Panthers jerseys with 2024 NFL Draft background.

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Panthers coach Dave Canales and owner David Tepper surrounded by Chop Robinson, Penn State Xavier Legette, South Carolina, Malachai Corley, Western Kentucky, Ben Sinnott, Kansas State, CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State, Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State, and Dylan McMahon, North Carolina State with a 2024 NFL Draft background.

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With current free agent quarterback Cam Newton officially out in Carolina, McCaffrey will now be paired with newcomer Teddy Bridgewater in the Panthers' backfield, which will obviously aid the seasoned signal caller in more ways than one.

“On third down, he doesn't have to come out,” Nixon added. “He can stay in, and he'll be able to protect Teddy [Bridgewater], and obviously, catch the ball out of the backfield.”

Unfortunately for McCaffrey and company, though, the Panthers will have to attempt to make some noise in a very competitive NFC South division in 2020.
With the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and especially the Tampa Bay Buccaneers all getting better this offseason, the Panthers will need McCaffrey to show up yet again in order to remain afloat come next season.
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