Why the Carolina Panthers must re-sign Efe Obada in 2021

With more cap space freed up, the Carolina Panthers can look at re-signing some of their productive players from last season.

Unlike other news, the Carolina Panthers find themselves in the center of, the team does have other options they need to look at re-signing on their roster. Even with Deshaun Watson being the offseason’s highlight, Efe Obada would be a good option to retain.

The Panthers had one of the worst pass rushes in the league last season with 29 sacks. Since Carolina has already released Stephen Weatherly, the organization will need to keep some of their pass rush depth – especially considering the strides made across their defensive front throughout the campaign.

Obada would be a perfect candidate to re-sign.

Efe Obada had a tremendous 2020 for the Carolina Panthers.

He finished last season with his best numbers yet. Obada ended the 2020 season with 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries for 54 yards, and four tackles for loss. These all were career highs and demonstrate the impressive progress made by the Nigerian-born star.

Another number to look at is Obada’s quarterback pressures. He finished behind Brian Burns in this category with 2. But both players were also the top-two on the team with quarterback hits and sacks.

One of Obada’s major accomplishments in his career so far was the interception he had against the Cincinnati Bengals during his rookie season in 2018.  He has also consistently stuck his arms in the air on pass plays in an attempt to bat balls down.

Obada has proved that he is a smart player, and the Panthers need more players with this level of awareness.

If the Panthers are looking to keep a stable pass rush, then they need to re-sign Obada. He’s proved over the past couple of seasons that he’s belonged in Carolina with his increased productivity on a rotational basis, even if his future did look bleak earlier in the campaign when he was sent to the waiver wire before being immediately brought back onto the practice squad.

Based on Obada’s $750,000 salary he earned during 2020, the Panthers should be able to bring him back on an affordable deal. This option gives you a reliable pass rusher and some cap space flexibility – something which is more than welcome in the current climate.

Even though Obada has only started in one game in his career, he has the potential to be a solid starter if the team needs him to be.

For Obada to be close in major statistical categories with Burns, it sure says a lot about him and he is also a much-loved and respected member of the locker room, which is another big factor that shouldn’t be overlooked.

3 reasons Carolina Panthers should not trade Christian McCaffrey

The Carolina Panthers should not entertain the thought of trading star running back Christian McCaffrey in a deal to acquire Deshaun Watson from the Texans.

This deal has to be made so the Panthers can retain some form of continuity on their depth chart after parting ways with Kawann Short and Weatherly. It may not be big news like trading for Watson, but it’s a deal that Carolina should look into.