4 ways the Carolina Panthers can avoid disaster in 2023 free agency

Carolina Panthers must sign a marquee TE

Another position of weakness for the Carolina Panthers in recent memory has been the tight end spot. They have lacked a receiving threat and NFL teams with those at the position as core pieces of their offense tend to be successful.

The list of playoff teams with legitimate weapons at that position is long. The Kansas City Chiefs have Travis Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles have Dallas Goedert, the San Francisco 49ers have George Kittle, the Minnesota Vikings have T.J. Hockenson, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have Evan Ingram.

All of these teams were in the playoffs this season. All have tight ends that produce plays for the offense and are legitimate receiving targets.

Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas are good blocking tight ends that deserve roster spots. But neither are starting-caliber tight ends.

If Carolina were to sign a true No. 1 player at that position, their offense would be much more dangerous with Frank Reich leading the charge.

Mike Gesicki, Engram, and Dalton Schultz are all free agents this off-season, alongside Robert Tonyan, Irv Smith Jr., and Foster Moreau, who are also solid options for Scott Fitterer. One of them should be a Panther in 2023.

Since the days of Greg Olsen, the Panthers have not had a consistent option, and the offense has struggled because of that. Fitterer must address this concern in free agency.