4 Panthers players who must be re-signed this offseason
By Luke Tucker
Efe Obada – Carolina Panthers DL
Throughout his three-year career, the legend of Efe Obada has only grown in the hearts of Carolina Panthers fans. A true rags-to-riches story, the defensive lineman escaped human trafficking as a child in the United Kingdom, and worked his way to a career-year in 2020.
Primarily an edge-rusher, Obada finished second on the team in sacks with 5.5, recorded a personal-best 15 quarterback hits and a forced fumble.
Obada’s stats are solid if not spectacular, but he has without a doubt become one of the most popular players on the current roster and someone that Matt Rhule seemed really impressed with upon his arrival in Carolina. It’s worth noting also that the reversion to a 4-3 base defense was beneficial to his defensive skill-set.
Despite his success as a pass-rusher this past season, the team’s direction moving forward could ultimately be the deciding factor in Obada’s future with the team. The Panthers spent a second-round pick on Yetur Gross-Matos last spring, and there has been speculation that the front office could do more to rebuild the pass rush this offseason as well.
Obada will be 29 years old before the new season starts, but he didn’t begin playing football – at any level – until he was 22. With that being said, his potential certainly remains, but at some point he’s going to have to improve as a run defender if he wants to stick around long-term.
Even still, his ongoing development should be evidence enough for Carolina to re-sign him to short-term, team-friendly deal.