Which players could the Carolina Panthers look to acquire if they don’t extend defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis after the 2022 season?
After letting DaQuan Jones leave for the Buffalo Bills in free agency, the Carolina Panthers are hoping that Matt Ioannidis fills the void during an important 2022 season for the franchise. The defensive lineman was picked up soon after his release by the Washington Commanders and reuniting with his former college coaches makes this one of the more intriguing offseason acquisitions.
Ioannidis has proven production in the NFL, although the last two seasons haven’t gone according to plan on a defensive front that is loaded with high-end first-round selections in Washington.
This is the latest partner for Derrick Brown on the interior. If Ioannidis can make his presence felt and transition smoothly, then it could be the spark that ignites the Auburn product to bigger things in Year 3 of his professional career.
However, if Ioannidis doesn’t do enough to earn an extension, here are four players the Panthers should consider signing in 2023.
Player No. 1
Carolina Panthers could sign Jarran Reed
Jarran Reed was unfortunate not to earn an extension from the Kansas City Chiefs after performing well during his one and only season with the franchise. The team prioritized others with little in the way of spare funds and this enabled the Green Bay Packers to swoop in and take him off their hands.
Reed is no stranger to Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer, who was part of the decision-making process that saw the player taken by the Seattle Seahawks at No. 49 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Whether this will mean all that much next year remains to be seen. But Reed should be on the shortlist if Matt Ioannidis’ time with the team is short-lived.