5 Carolina Panthers legends that still need replacing in 2022
By Dean Jones
Trai Turner – Former Carolina Panthers OG
One of the first big decisions made by Matt Rhule was trading Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers for Russell Okung. This was done with salary-cap savings in mind and even though both players didn’t exactly thrive in new surroundings, there’s little doubt the interior lineman is still missed based on what we’ve seen over the last two years.
It’s easy to forget what a dominant force Turner was at the peak of his powers. The former third-round pick out of LSU made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2015-19 and was a brute force during run support and pass protection in equal measure.
Turner managed just nine games for the Chargers in 2020 and spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. What the future holds for the veteran is unclear, but the Panthers haven’t had anything like the same production since the left.
It’s been a revolving door at right guard and something the Panthers must address as a matter of urgency either in free agency or with an exciting college recruit. Another offseason gambling on players such as Deonte Brown, Pat Elflein, and John Miller just isn’t going to cut it.
Carolina was well within their right to trade Turner. But it’s hard to look at the move and think it paid off in terms of progress on the field, which trumps any financial implications when it’s all said and done.