Mario Addison tipped to make big impression with the Bills

Former Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Mario Addison is tipped to make a big impression with the Buffalo Bills in 2020.

To say the Carolina Panthers went their separate ways with some notable veteran players this offseason would be something of an understatement. The franchise made some bold moves during the first year of Matt Rhule’s rebuild. And this has seen some prominent names depart for pastures new.

One such individual that now has a different environment to work in is Mario Addison. The defensive end was not offered a new deal with the Carolina Panthers and subsequently penned a three-year, $30.45 million contract with the Buffalo Bills that included a $6.5 million signing bonus and $15.25 million guaranteed.

Given the salary cap predicament that the Panthers found themselves in this offseason. It was unlikely they could match this offer even if the team wanted to bring him back. This was a win-win for both parties as it allowed Carolina to go younger and Addison got one more big-money deal in the twilight of his career.

The move also received a seal of approval from Maurice Moton of The Bleacher Report, who named Addison in his top nine NFL players that can make a significant impression with their new teams.

Moton described Addison as “a late bloomer” and expects the pass-rusher to potentially reach double-digit sacks for the Bills in 2020.

"“The Buffalo Bills haven’t fielded a 10-sack defender under head coach Sean McDermott. In 2019, the defense ranked 12th in sacks, and then it lost its top two pass-rushers, Jordan Phillips (9.5) and Shaq Lawson (6.5), during free agency. As a late bloomer, Mario Addison has been overlooked among pass-rushers. Since his breakout 2016 term for the Carolina Panthers, he ranks 11th in sacks (39). Last season, Buffalo allowed the second-fewest touchdowns through the air and had a solid—not dominant—front line. If Addison continues to push the pocket with consistency, the Bills may field the most complete defense in 2020.”"

How much will the Carolina Panthers miss Mario Addison?

The Carolina Panthers might miss someone like Mario Addison in the short-term. But their front seven looks absolutely stacked in 2020 and has the potential to become a real area of strength for the franchise.

This is a stark contrast to the one that took the field during the previous campaign. They brought in free-agent Stephen Weatherly from the Minnesota Vikings. And he has the scope to make some real strides after finally earning a starting role in the NFL.

The Panthers also drafted Yetur Gross-Matos after he fell into their lap at No. 38. He has a supreme skillset and with a little refinement has all the makings of a premier pass-rusher at the next level.

Brian Burns could be one of the NFL’s primary breakout candidates in his sophomore campaign playing in front of outside linebacker Shaq Thompson. The former first-round pick achieved 7.5 sacks in 2019 and will now get the chance to build on this with more responsibility on his shoulders.

These quality options will get plenty of space to work in with No. 7 overall pick Derrick Brown and returning veteran Kawann Short eating up space on the interior. If the group performs as expected, then it shouldn’t matter too much that Addison has moved on.