Carolina Panthers need to address these positions this offseason
Safety
There are currently eight safeties listed on the Panthers roster as the team has worked to provide some consistency on the backend of their defense. Signing Eric Reid mid-year helped, but Hurney now has to determine if he can continue to play well into the future – if so, he’s going to need another contract and likely more money.
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Mike Adams would also need a new deal and he’s going to be 38 years old when the 2019 football season begins. The probability of Hurney sinking any significant amount of money into a multi-year deal is slim, meaning Adams has likely played his last game with the Panthers.
Last April the team drafted Rashaan Gaulden and converted him to safety but the rookie never became a definitive part of the defensive rotation. Another attempt this season could come in the draft or during free agency, depending on the futures of both Reid and Adams.
Armed with over a decade of experience navigating the NFL offseason, Hurney faces one of his most important yet. As the uncertainty surrounding the future for Rivera during a treacherous second half, where the Panthers won only one game, new owner David Tepper decided it best to keep the current leadership in place.
Next. Final 2018 Grades. dark
An inability to correct these issues in 2019 may lead to an entire system overhaul and the departures of Rivera and Hurney, if Carolina continues to falter.