Panthers aiming to get McCaffrey 25-30 touches per game this season

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey exceeded expectations during his rookie year. For an encore, the Panthers want to up his workload as one of the team's primary playmakers.

McCaffrey ran for 435 yards and two touchdowns, but was more effective as a receiver, catching 80 passes for 651 yards and five touchdowns during the 2017 season. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is planning for a more substantial role for the halfback's sophomore campaign.

"I don't want to get to the point where everything starts through him, because it'll always be through the quarterback," Rivera said, according to ESPN's David Newton. "But he can be one of those guys that hopefully gets the ball 25 to 30 times a game. That would be ideal.''

McCaffrey, unsurprisingly, welcomes the challenge.

"I love to hear that,'' he said. "Hopefully, it happens. Anytime coach tells you you're going to get the ball more you get a little excited about that."

As it stands, the 22-year-old will be counted upon to help lead the Panthers back to the playoffs in 2018.