The Carolina Panthers were running a legitimate competition for the LB2 spot between Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus. However, general manager Dan Morgan threw a curveball into the mix after their final preseason game against the Houston Texans.
According to Tom Pelissero, NFL insider at Netflix and The Ringer, the Panthers are signing veteran Bobby Okereke to a one-year deal. Depending on how long it takes the player to get himself up to speed, he could be starting alongside second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
This was always a possibility.
Bobby Okereke could fill another big need for the Carolina Panthers
Wallace and Cherelus didn't manage to seize the spot over the summer. Morgan decided more was required, and not for the first time this offseason, Carolina's front-office leader struck with conviction to land his guy.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler confirmed that the Panthers had been looking for another veteran linebacker for a while. Okereke was among the best still sitting on the market, and he could have something to offer with a quick transition into Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base system.
Okereke is a proven performer with 805 tackles in seven campaigns. He spent last season with the New York Giants, recording 143 tackles, but the overall consistency of his production came under criticism. The 2019 third-round pick was released, spending months on the proverbial scrap heap before Carolina came calling.
But this could be the ideal landing spot.
The Panthers don't need Okereke to be the alpha dog. They have Lloyd for that, but if he can become a serviceable complementary piece, that's going to make a huge difference.
What this means for the futures of Wallace and Cherelus remains to be seen. They will probably get places on the squad, but if Okereke has the impact expected, the duo who competed for the gig all summer could be forced to settle for backup roles while also being prominent features on special teams.
Not exactly ideal for them, but Morgan always has the team's best interests at heart.
And considering he was a prolific former linebacker during his playing career, Panthers fans will trust his judgment.
Carolina Panthers signing grade for Bobby Okereke: A-
Morgan didn't want to wait until the final cuts to see who might become available. He had Okereke in his sights, and this represented a chance for the Stanford product to gain playing time immediately.
This seems like a win-win for all parties.
Okereke can get around the football. He is an effective communicator who knows how to lead. He did look a little sluggish at times last season, but the second-level enforcer looks like a decent fit if he can hit the ground running.
The Panthers were never going to settle. If there were a better alternative to pair with Lloyd, Morgan would get one.
That turned out to be Okereke. And don't be surprised if he becomes another outstanding addition to Evero's defensive unit.
Add us as a preferred source on Google