Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE
Talk about a blown opportunity.
Yetur Gross-Matos had the world at his feet heading into the 2022 season. The Carolina Panthers placed a significant amount of faith in the defensive end by promoting him to a starting berth, which resulted in allowing Haason Reddick to walk in free agency along the way.
Reddick went on to thrive with the Philadelphia Eagles and might even get a ring with one more victory in Super Bowl 57. As for Gross-Matos, his inability to generate meaningful pressure was evident throughout the campaign en route to just 2.5 sacks.
As personnel errors go, this was a big one. Especially considering Reddick recently stated that he wanted to stay in Carolina only for the team to go in a different direction.
Whatever the Panthers decide to do from here, they know one thing. Gross-Matos cannot be counted upon from a starting role and with Ejiro Evero set to switch this unit to a primarily 3-4 base scheme, it’s going to be another steep transition.
Perhaps slotting back onto the rotation could see the former second-round pick make strides. But it’s hard to say one way or another as Gross-Matos heads into the final year of his rookie deal.
Gross-Matos has the biggest point imaginable to prove in 2023. If the defensive lineman cannot raise his game, next season will be his last in Carolina.