Geno Atkins could be a useful asset for the Carolina Panthers
By Dean Jones
Could veteran defensive tackle Geno Atkins be of use to the Carolina Panthers when his expected release from the Cincinnati Bengals is confirmed?
It will be strange to see the Carolina Panthers without Kawann Short on their roster in 2021. The defensive tackle was released to free-up some significant salary-cap space ahead of free agency and although there does appear to be some interest in bringing him back on a cheaper deal, the prospect of landing on a team with more chance of competing for a Super Bowl is a realistic one that would be hard to pass up.
If the 2020 season showed us anything, it’s that there will be life after Short moving forward. Carolina struck gold when they picked Derrick Brown No. 7 overall last spring, with the likes of Zach Kerr, Efe Obada, and sixth-rounder Bravvion Roy also showing tremendous promise during the second half of the campaign.
It might be worth bringing in a couple more options on their defensive line to further enhance their plans for progression.
This is especially necessary on the edge to boost Carolina’s ability to generate consistent pressure in opposing backfields. But acquiring another veteran player on the interior that could help Brown flourish further is not out of the realms of possibility.
Geno Atkins would be a great pickup by the Carolina Panthers.
The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly going to release Geno Atkins after a standout career with the organization. Things had become stagnant with the two-time All-Pro and injuries are now starting to catch up with him. But if the former fourth-round pick can get back to anything like the form of old, it could benefit the Panthers considerably.
It wasn’t that long ago that Atkins was the NFL’s best defensive tackle. He was a human wrecking ball on the interior and possessed a rare ability to cause havoc on almost every down no matter how many linemen opposite him were trying to prevent it.
These days are probably long gone.
But a different environment might be all Atkins needs to reinvigorate his career after so long toiling on a team that hasn’t been a legitimate postseason contender in quite some time.
Atkins has 75.5 sacks throughout his career. So providing there is still some juice left in the tank, generating pressure is something he should be able to do with the likes of Brown and Brian Burns on the defensive front taking up attention.
Having this luxury was something Atkins seldom had with the Bengals. So if the price is right, the Panthers could do far worse than take a chance on the potential Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Much will depend on whether Atkins has any interest in joining a team that doesn’t necessarily have an immediate opportunity of lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2021. As is the case with every decision this offseason, any move for the Georgia product would need to be right from a financial standpoint, with the injury concerns making it difficult for the veteran’s reliability to be counted on fully.
However, providing there is a mutual interest from both parties, then the benefits of acquiring someone with the production of Atkins is there for all to see – providing he can rid himself of health concerns that restricted him to just eight games last season.