5 free agents the Carolina Panthers should bring in for training camp
By Dean Jones
Which remaining free agents could the Carolina Panthers potentially look at bringing in for 2021 training camp in the coming weeks?
The Carolina Panthers could still bring in some more veteran players ahead of a crucial period of preparation before the 2021 season gets underway. Those in power did a nice job of securing plenty of talent both in free agency with the limited resources available and thanks to an unprecedented amount of trade movement to acquire 11 selections during the NFL Draft.
With that being said, there are still some areas of the roster that could use some fine-tuning and extra competition during training camp. This would not only enable the Panthers to potentially find a diamond in the rough, but it might also see current members of the roster raise their respective games to a level not seen before.
Whichever way it goes, this will help Carolina as they look to make more noise in the second year of Matt Rhule’s tenure as head coach. More will be expected after a period of transition in difficult circumstances, so it’s vital that the Panthers turn from simply being competitive against Super Bowl-contending teams into wins at the earliest possible opportunity.
If the Panthers opt to strengthen their options ahead of training camp, here are five names that are well worth considering.
Carolina Panthers free-agent possibilities pre-camp
Free Agent No. 1
Russell Okung – OT
- 2020 team – Carolina Panthers
There didn’t appear much doubt that the Carolina Panthers were going to move on from Russell Okung this offseason. The veteran Pro Bowler managed just seven games due to various injury problems and although he did perform well when on the field, his $13 million in base salary was better spent elsewhere in the current climate.
It seems surprising that the Pro Bowl left tackle has yet to find a new home. There was reported interest from the Kansas City Chiefs that did not turn to anything concrete, so bringing him back on a team-friendly deal might be worth considering.
The Panthers did draft Brady Christensen in the third round, although they’ve been using him at multiple positions on the offensive line during rookie minicamp to see where he’d be best suited. If this happens to be on the interior, then the team will need a more stable presence manning the blindside considering how big of a season it is for their new quarterback Sam Darnold.
Okung already knows the scheme and most of the players in Carolina. So a potential reunion at the right price is not entirely out of the question.