D'Onta Foreman Discusses His Future & if He Wants to Return to Carolina

The Panthers' initial plan when they signed D'Onta Foreman to a one-year deal in free agency was to alleviate the amount of pounding the starting running back Christian McCaffrey would take throughout the course of the season. McCaffrey had only played in a combined ten games in the previous two seasons and Carolina wanted to do everything in its power to keep him on the field. 

In three starts with the Tennessee Titans a year ago, Foreman showed out and flashed his ability to not only be a capable running back in this league but to potentially be a starter. This year, he finally got that opportunity when the team dealt McCaffrey to San Francisco following week six. No one really knew what to expect from Foreman, considering he logged just seven carries through the first five weeks. Many felt as if the Panthers' offense, which was already bad at the time, would completely fall apart with its best player no longer around.

Not so fast, my friend. 

The Panthers' run game actually improved drastically with Foreman becoming the lead back. His downhill, physical running style gave Carolina's offense an identity, which is something they'd been lacking for the better part of the last two-plus seasons. That identity led to finding ways to win games and somehow, be in the conversation for a division title entering Week 17. Due to that success, interim head coach Steve Wilks is gaining serious consideration for the full-time position.

"We want to end the season on a good note, as positive as we can," said Foreman. "And as far as Wilks, man, I don't even know what my future is like being here. I definitely think he deserves the job. He does a tremendous job with just giving this team something to restructure, rebuild, and have something to look forward to going forward. He's changed the mindset of this team, this locker room. I think he's a great man for the job. But right now we just got to focus on the Saints and try to get this win."

Speaking of his own future, he may not know what exactly will happen but he does know where he'd like to be.

"I'd love to be here. I mean, I've been here, I'm comfortable here. I like what's going on here and everything that we got going on here. But at the end of the day, I can't really control that. So the only thing that I can control is what I do on the field and just be a pro day in and day out. What God has for me is what he has for me and I'm sure that'll be the right decision."

Negotiations on a new contract have not begun between his agent and the team and that won't happen until after the season ends. Foreman wants to be sure that it's the right fit for him, especially if a new coaching staff comes in. 

"I would have to look at every situation and see exactly the scheme and everything. But just as far as the city, the team, I love it. I've been blessed to be in this situation. It feels like home now. This has probably been the only time I've been in this situation where I was the starter and just the feeling of being 'the guy'. So of course I don't want to let that go. Of course, I want to be here. Of course, I want to continue to build on what we already started. So for me, it's just staying focused."