5 free agents the Carolina Panthers should consider after Week 1 loss
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers should consider Dont’a Hightower
Finding consistency at the middle linebacker position has been a concern from the moment Luke Kuechly hung up his cleats following the 2019 campaign. The Carolina Panthers started Damien Wilson on the interior in Week 1, who was pretty inconsistent against a stout Cleveland Browns rushing attack more often than not despite coming up with an important sack.
Considering what’s at stake for head coach Matt Rhule this season, he won’t want this to become an ongoing trend. Something that might see the Panthers put a call in Dont’a Hightower’s direction in the not-too-distant future.
Hightower is a proven winner that’s enjoyed a substantial amount of success throughout his career. It was surprising to see the Alabama product not get picked up at any stage before the season after he departed the New England Patriots, which could indicate he’s waiting for the right opportunity on a team with a legitimate chance of contending.
Whether joining the Panthers is something that would interest Hightower is unclear. But the organization would benefit from his communication, leadership, and production at the second level beyond any doubt.
The longer Hightower remains unsigned, the lower his chances of playing again become. So it could be a mutually beneficial arrangement all things considered.