Carolina Panthers: 4 players who could regress in 2020
By Dean Jones
Russell Okung
The Carolina Panthers made the surprising move to trade away Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for veteran left tackle Russell Okung. This move was vilified by the fanbase and media alike in what was listed as one of the NFL’s worst offseason moves.
There is little dispute that Okung is in the twilight of his career. It remains to be seen just how much of a factor he can be for the organization after missing ten games last season. The former Pro Bowler didn’t give up a sack in more than 250 snaps in 2019. But he received a moderate 62.4 grade by Pro Football Focus to further indicate his skills are on the slide.
Okung will be 32-years-old during the 2020 campaign and has plenty of niggling injuries from his standout career to date. He has a lot of responsibility to protect Teddy Bridgewater’s blindside next term and the jury is still out as to whether he will be up to the task.
The offensive lineman is playing for his future in Carolina. Although they gave up one of their best players in exchange, Okung is in the last year of his deal and will count just over $13 million against the Panthers’ salary cap.
If there is a severe drop-off in his play. Carolina’s decision-makers may think that their money is better off being spent elsewhere. There is also Okung’s ongoing dispute with the NFLPA to consider, which could drag on into training camp and would be an unwelcome distraction.