I, too, can see why the Panthers want to, and will try to, limit CMC's usage/snap count compared to last year.
Can also see why in the end, it won't make a difference. Partly because I think CMC has proved without a doubt that he is an elite back. But mostly because he is literally the best weapon they have, and the rest of the squad looks shaky.
Let's forget about Cam's shoulder and how that might fare -- it clearly was an issue last season and while cleared to play in camp/preseason after yet another surgery in the off-season, he'll be on a pitch count so we won't really see how he's faring until the reg season. But that is something that could tilt the play-calling to feature the run more -- both to protect Cam's arm and to minimize mistakes if he's ailing during the long season.
So who else is there? Greg Olsen has been a perennial pro bowler, but given age and repeated foot fractures and other ailments, I can't think he'll continue to regress as an offensive threat in the passing game.
Similarly, Moore has incredible talent but was raw last year and still developing in terms of field smarts. Torrey Smith is a good veteran presence but hasn't been relevant as an offensive threat for a while. Jarius Wright is still unproven. Hogan can be a good possession/slot receiver but remains to be seen if he can play at the level he did in 2016.