4 free agents the Carolina Panthers will regret not signing in 2021
By Dean Jones
Marlon Mack – RB
Although there are some obvious injury problems where Marlon Mack is concerned, considering what he agreed to stay with the Indianapolis Colts for, it represents something the Carolina Panthers could have easily afforded if they saw fit.
The running back penned a one-year, $2 million deal that is fully guaranteed, with the player now looking to get back to the form of old even though his status as the lead man has now been taken by Jonathan Taylor.
Mack is probably going to accept a backup role with the Colts and look to make the most out of opportunities when they come. This is something the Panthers are currently looking for after Mike Davis left in free agency for the Atlanta Falcons, meaning a primary backup to Christian McCaffrey needs to be decided upon in case the All-Pro suffers further complications staying healthy after appearing in just three games last season.
Whether the likes of Rodney Smith, Reggie Bonnafon, or Trenton Cannon are capable of filling the void remains to be seen. There are plenty of other veterans still on the market who could do a job on a limited basis, with the prospect of taking a college recruit late in the 2021 NFL Draft not out of the realm of possibility.
With that being said, Mack would have been a nice piece that could assist in short-yardage situations and run pretty much the same plays in McCaffrey’s absence at a bargain price.