George Iloka, Potential Target For The Carolina Panthers?

The Carolina Panthers should make a run at George Iloka.

By the end of the 2018-19 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers defense were a widely talked about squad. Though drastically different from years past, all talk of being great (minus Luke Kuechly) and game changing were essentially dead weeks before the start of the playoffs. Though bright spots shined with the progress of young players Donte Jackson, Andre Carter Jr., Shaq Thompson, and newly resigned playmaker Eric Reid at strong safety, the team could not come together to close out games after the strong start to the season. The young Panthers learned while having growing pains and many of the trusted veterans no longer played to the level expected of Carolina’s longstanding reputation as a defensive minded team.

As the struggles continued for the Panthers, multiple areas stood out as weak areas that opposing teams could count on week after week. An aging nickel who’s talent exceeded his height began to decline rapidly, a hall of fame defensive end couldn’t revitalize a struggling pass rush, a prized defensive tackle couldn’t find the same success as years past, and an aged safety couldn’t continue to protect the secondary any longer. For the Panthers, the culmination of issues all quickly contributed to the sudden fall of the Panthers.

However, this season, many issues will be corrected in an effort to return to the playoffs in what is to be the second year of the David Tepper era. In a surprising, yet beneficial and satisfying move, General Manager Marty Hurney and the Panthers front office recently resigned Reid to a three-year $22 million contract, solidifying half of the Panther’s safety tandem. Reid, who is a physical safety who comes as a remedy to what had become a yearly nightmare in the backfield. Prior to his signing last year, Panthers employed Mike Adams and Da’Norris Searcy as the two starters. Yet, that proved to be short lived as Searcy went down early in the campaign with two concussions in the span of one month while Adams began to decline nearly halfway into the same season.

This season proves to be different as Reid returns to lead the team in the backfield, and though Searcy remains (likely to be cut), Panthers are expected to look towards the future to solidify the free safety position. Upgrading from the 5’11 37-year old veteran Adams and a player who could be forced into early retirement due to concussions (eerily similar to Michael Orr) should and would be best for the team going forward. Resigning Reid definitely helps, but more is needed. And though many options are available in free agency as well as the upcoming draft, one person stands out as a possible fit in the Panther’s resurgence.

Former Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals safety George Iloka is no newcomer or slouch. Last offseason, Panthers were tied to the defenseman on multiple sites and networks, and should again be listed as a potential player for obvious reasons. With the Bengals, Iloka was a very productive and underrated player totaling 9 interceptions and 227 tackles in his six seasons there. A former fifth round pick, Iloka is a young seven-year player with starter’s experience. Having started 79 games in his career (Reid by comparison, has started 83 in his six-year career), Iloka would benefit the Panthers heavily by having another player who isn’t new to the NFL and could start on any other team in the NFL. Physically, Iloka would also be a safe bet behind a changing linebacker core. Standing at 6’4 with a 34 ½ inch wing span, he would instantly be a better piece to protect and intercept balls thrown over the top than the shorter Adams and is nine-years younger while being in the prime of his career.

Fitting into the new culture of young physical players, Iloka would be an improvement in a secondary sorely missing youth and speed. BUT, one of the best aspects of signing him could be the most beneficial. Last season, Iloka signed with the Viking for a minimal one-year $790,000 contract with a $90,000 signing bonus in a year that saw less production in his lone season in Minnesota. Small change compared to Reid’s $22 million.

With roughly $15 million in cap space for the Panthers, offering Iloka little more than the league minimum, or loosely mirror the $1.7 million prove-it type deal that attracted Reid, the Panthers could potentially get a starting caliber free safety for a bargain.