Scott Fitterer, Matt Rhule emphasize need to improve the offensive line this offseason

If that wasn’t enough for you, there were numerous other references to it throughout the day.

“Offensively, solidifying quarterback and solidifying our offensive line are the priorities,” Rhule said. “We have some really good skill players, but we have to be able to win up front.”

The Panthers allowed 52 sacks last season, fifth-most in the league. They also struggled to run at times this year, particularly in the absence of Christian McCaffrey. But with so much talk about the struggles of Darnold (and, to a degree, Newton), the topic of protection has been near the top of the offseason to-do list for some time.

They have at least one cornerstone player in right tackle Taylor Moton. They have a pair of rookies in Brady Christensen and Deonte Brown, who have some promise for the future. But they know they need to add in free agency, the draft, or preferably both.

“Our focus is on building that offensive line,” Fitterer said. “We have to get stout up front, both lines, offensive and defensive line. But we’re not going to be blind to other spots either. We’re not going to be blind to defense, we’re not going to be blind to the quarterback position.

“But we absolutely know we have to fix the offensive line. We can’t have all this leakage. That’s going to help the quarterback play.”

There is a chicken-egg quality to the problem, as the issues up front kept any of the quarterbacks from having a fair chance at times this year.

As such, Fitterer mentioned being “open” to future conversations with Newton, and Rhule was effusive in his praise for the veteran quarterback, talking about the leadership he brought to the position and the energy and high standards he brought to the team.