4 former Carolina Panthers to root for in the 2020 NFL Playoffs
By Dean Jones
Mario Addison – DE
Of all the veteran departures from the defensive front last year, Mario Addison is arguably the player who’s been missed the most. The Carolina Panthers were never going to be in a financial position to match the three-year, $30.45 million deal he received from the Buffalo Bills with a $6 million signing bonus and $15.25million in guaranteed money, which resulted in a parting of the ways after eight years.
As it turned out, Addison now finds himself on arguably the NFL’s hottest team going into the postseason. The Bills finally wrestled the AFC East crown away from the New England Patriots in convincing fashion and the dominant play of quarterback Josh Allen means they are a lively contender for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Addison was kept out of their Week 17 game against the Miami Dolphins to ensure he is fresh and firing on all cylinders when they take on the Indianapolis Colts, who possess an elite offensive line and a defense that come on leaps and bounds during the 2020 season.
The edge rusher needs to be at his best to make a difference this weekend and comes into the game with five sacks, 30 tackles, seven tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, four passes defended, and 11 pressures from 606 snaps. Addison knows this will be one of his final opportunities to get a ring and he won’t want to waste it.