Has the Carolina Panthers offensive line finally turned a corner?

Has the Carolina Panthers offensive line finally turned a corner following some impressive performances over the last month?

There were some real concerns surrounding the Carolina Panthers offensive line heading into the season. Fears that were confirmed after a torrid start to the campaign left many wondering whether this positional group would be the weak link that costs the team a potential playoff spot.

Some questionable offseason moves in free agency and not acquiring a premier edge protector in the 2021 NFL Draft didn’t leave many reasons to be encouraged. Although the Panthers did make a solid move by extending Taylor Moton – their only consistent player in this area of the field.

However, there have been some signs of life over the last month.

Despite plenty of personnel changes due to injury and poor performance, the protection has been much improved over a four-game period from Weeks 7-10. Something that gave quarterback Sam Darnold’s poor production under center one less excuse.

Mercifully, Darnold is no longer part of the equation.

At least for the time being.

Cam Newton is set to start in Week 11 against the Washington Football Team following his debut to remember at the Arizona Cardinals, so if the offensive line can keep trending in the right direction, it’s hard to envisage a situation where Carolina isn’t there or thereabouts at the end of the campaign.

There are a number of factors surrounding the line’s recent resurgence. The blossoming partnership of guard tandem Michael Jordan and Trent Scott gave this unit a significant boost at just the right time, with both providing astute consistency in pass protection and on running downs.

Moton remains a commanding force.

The one position where Carolina doesn’t have to worry about all that often.

Even though losing starting center Matt Paradis to a torn ACL on the second play from scrimmage against the New England Patriots was a body blow, it seems as if the Panthers have a ready-made replacement in Pat Elflein if his performance in Week 10 was any indication.

Elflein was a center in college at Ohio State and during his first NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings before they switched him to guard. It’s clear this is where he’s most comfortable and if this continues moving forward, the player could end up being the permanent starter in 2022 with Paradis out of contract.

The left tackle position remains a worry.

Cam Erving is on the shelf and was hardly setting the world alight. So it’s now up to Dennis Daley or Brady Christensen to make a lasting contribution.

Daley’s lack of discipline undid what was a promising performance at the Cardinals. Christensen also flashed in his 13 snaps when the South Carolina product was forced off through injury.

If Carolina doesn’t like these options, then free-agent Russell Okung is already familiar with the scheme and was actually performing well in 2020 when healthy.

Having Newton under center – someone who recognizes pressure far better than Darnold – will also help. After weeks of worry, things might finally be looking up for a group that’s come in for some heavy criticism in 2021.

If this scenario comes to fruition and Newton performs up to or exceeds the level expected, then the Panthers are going to be a tough out the rest of the way.