5 big splashes the Carolina Panthers can still make in free agency
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could target JC Tretter
Another veteran name that was shown the door ahead of time was JC Tretter. The talented center was a cost-cutting measure by the Cleveland Browns and it shouldn’t take long for the player to find a new home based on some outstanding previous production.
The Carolina Panthers could be on the lookout for an upgrade at the position with Matt Paradis out of contract and unlikely to return. There is still the option of Pat Elflein after he demonstrated some improvements once installed into his college spot, but there’s just no telling for sure whether he can build on this in 2022.
Tretter was a model of consistency for the Browns last season, giving up just one sack and conceding three penalties from 1,039 snaps to secure an outstanding 78.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. He is entering his ninth NFL campaign and providing there is a mutual interest, it’s definitely something that the Panthers should explore, at the very least.
Slotting Tretter onto an interior that now has Super Bowl champion Austin Corbett at the right guard spot could mean improved protection for whoever is under center. His ability to influence proceedings in the run game and communicate exceptionally pre-snap are traits the Panthers sorely lacked last time around.
Again, they would need to act fast. But Tretter might also decide to wait for a playoff contender.