Panthers News: Trai Turner trade ranked among worst offseason moves
By Dean Jones
What comes next for the Panthers after Turner trade?
It has been a busy offseason with little good Carolina Panthers news to report. This is something that is expected of a rebuild. But trading arguably their best offensive lineman for a veteran past the peak of his powers seems no less strange now than it did at the time.
Okung will solidify the blind side of new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, at least in the short-term. The Panthers also brought in John Miller and Michael Schofield to occupy the guard positions in 2020. They are experienced veterans who are highly thought of by Carolina’s coaching staff.
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Much is also expected of Taylor Moton at right tackle with more starting time. These fresh faces need to gel quickly in order to give them the best possible chance of succeeding. Something that is easier said than done with the current social distancing measures relating to Covid-19 preventing face-to-face team activities.
The trade will at least give the Panthers some financial wiggle room in 2021 if Okung doesn’t perform to the level expected. This would allow them to go after some of the more elite free agents rather than just settling for the bargain basement players they have gone for this offseason.
Given their expected struggles in 2020, there could be some good Panthers news in the form of a high-end draft pick that they might also allocate to the offensive line if Bridgewater performs to the level he is capable of. Someone like Oregan tackle Penei Sewell has All-Pro potential and would provide a solid bookend for the next decade.
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There is a lot of football to be played between now and then. But there is no question Turner’s presence is going to be sorely missed in Carolina during a period of transition.