5 free-agent interior offensive linemen the Panthers could target
By Dean Jones
Joe Thuney – G
- 2020 team – New England Patriots
Another player who is sure to be a hot commodity on the free-agent market is Joe Thuney. The New England Patriots are set to let the talented guard depart with no contract negotiations currently taking place and he would be a substantial upgrade on anything the Carolina Panthers had on their interior in 2020.
Thuney is a Super Bowl winner who has been one of the league’s most consistent performers for a considerable period of time. He gave up two sacks and three penalties last season to attain a 74.2 grade from Pro Football Focus, which further enhanced his reputation across the NFL.
The Patriots are currently going through a period of transition, but it’s clear Bill Belichick needs to increase his level of urgency after seeing Tom Brady won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his first season away from the franchise.
Whether this means bringing Carolina’s former iconic signal-caller Cam Newton back on a stronger roster that will be boosted by defensive opt-outs returning remains to be seen. But if they lost someone as reliable as Thuney, it would leave another gaping hole that needs to be filled.
As is the case with almost every move the Panthers make in the coming weeks, much will depend on the finances involved. Thuney’s upside is there for all to see, but whether he’s in Carolina’s price range is another matter entirely.