Panthers' growing center concern could push them toward an unexpected solution

Saturday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills felt like a blast from the Carolina Panthers' past.

Zero first downs, six yards per pass attempt, and 1.7 yards per rushing attempt from Carolina's first-team offense. For the fans who were making progress in their recovery from the 2023 season’s PTSD, this felt like a relapse. 

It is just preseason, but the scariest part was that the crux of Carolina’s offensive issues was the same issue they suffered in 2023.

Carolina Panthers have concerns brewing at the center position after preseason loss

The interior offensive line was horrid, which, as we know, cannot be the case with a vertically challenged quarterback. Yet, many fans had this same worry in the offseason when the front office allowed starting center Cade Mays to walk in free agency.

Carolina’s trio of Dan Morgan, Brandt Tillis, and Dave Canales didn't just sit on their hands, quickly signing Luke Fortner to a one-year, $2.75 million deal. 

The Panthers initially named Fortner as the starter, which gave me comfort watching his Saints tape, but after the game at Highmark Stadium, I'm feeling uneasy.

Fortner just seemed behind on every play. He struggled to pass off blocks, whether it was slants from defenders or just help on doubles. In the run game, the interior was consistently battered, with the veteran missing on chips and letting Deone Walker cross his face easily.

The performance led to Fortner getting a 44.1 overall Pro Football Focus grade in the 10 snaps he played. So if he doesn't end up being the answer, who is? 

The Panthers hope it can eventually be rookie fifth-round pick Sam Hecht.

The former Kansas State center has impressed on tape in the preseason, showing his mental prowess picking up blitzers and passing off stunts in the interior. Overall, he has been a magnificent pass protector through two games.

Nick Samac may be more ready than Sam Hecht if Luke Fortner flounders

PFF had Hecht at a 73.8 and 73.2 overall grade in the first two games but also graded him as the best pass protector last week at 82.0. Yet, there’s a reason he is not a starter.

Hecht's biggest weakness coming out of the Big 12 was his block strength, and it showed up early with some embarrassing reps against bigger defenders. The rookie struggles moving people in the run game, and for a team that loves to establish the run, that won't cut it. 

Nick Samac has no issues moving people at all in the run game.

Samac, a seventh-round 2024 draft pick, was signed by the Panthers off waivers after he was cut by the Baltimore Ravens last year. He spent last year on the practice squad, and his work has paid off.

On tape, he impressed, grading out with a 73.8 and 81.2 overall PFF grade for the first two games.

To say Samac is a mauler would be an understatement. He simply moves people and is consistently looking for work. He had the highest run-blocking grade on the team, according to PFF (82.5), against the Bills. His blend of steady pass pro and run-game violence could be exactly what the Panthers are looking for.

Fortner will probably start. But if he fluffs his lines, it might be Samac's turn with the Panthers instead of Hecht.

Time will tell on all fronts...

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