4 easy decisions the Carolina Panthers can make in 2023 free agency

Carolina Panthers must find a productive TE

While there’s a good chance Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble can progress their respective contributions under a new-look, high-caliber coaching staff, the Carolina Panthers would be foolish if they didn’t examine ways to strengthen their options at the tight end position.

This area of the field has been sorely lacking in pass-catching consistency since Greg Olsen was allowed to leave in 2020 free agency for the Seattle Seahawks. Something that has to change for Frank Reich to stand any chance of making a go of things during his first season as head coach.

Carolina and general manager Scott Fitterer will leave no stone unturned. There are some intriguing options emerging from the college ranks to consider, but examining the wealth of options set to hit free agency could be a quick fix to this ongoing problem.

Players like Mike Gesicki, Evan Engram, and Irv Smith Jr. could test the market. Any of the aforementioned trio would be an upgrade from a pass-catching perspective, leaving Thomas and Tremble to focus more on evolving their exceptional blocking attributes.

Again, this comes down to money and how much the cash-strapped Panthers can free up between now and when free agency arrives. But relying on their current options based on what we’ve seen of late is simply not an option.