Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: Carolina Panthers
With free agency now into its fifth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
After an embarrassing Super Bowl 50 loss to the Denver Broncos last year, the Panthers seemed to fall into a season-long slump in 2016 as they stumbled to a 6–10 record, bottom of the NFC South. Can Carolina bounce back this season? Here are Carolina’s five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Franchising Kawann Short
During their Super Bowl run, Carolina’s defensive line was one of their biggest strengths. And key to the unit’s success was Kawann Short, who emerged as one of the league’s best defensive tackles. Like the rest of the Panthers, Short had a down season last year, but still had six sacks and three batted passes. Even general manager Dave Gettleman couldn’t let such a key player leave, so Short will play under a $13.6 million franchise tag until the two sides reach a long-term deal.
2 — Reshuffling at pass rusher
Carolina’s defensive line remains the strength of the team, with a strong pass rush rotation. But the unit will look a little different this year. The Panthers re-signed both Mario Addison (three years, $22.5 million, 9.5 sacks) and Charles Johnson (two years, $9.5 million, four sacks), but also traded Kony Ealy (five sacks) to the Patriots along with a 3rd rounder in return for a 2nd round pick. To replace Ealy, the Panthers signed veteran pass rusher Julius Peppers, who was drafted by Carolina in 2002, to a one year, $3.5 million deal. Peppers had 7.5 sacks for Green Bay last season.
3 — Signing Matt Kalil
The Panthers have had offensive line issues for the past couple of years, which became painfully evident against Denver in the Super Bowl. After looking outmatched at left tackle, Mike Remmers was allowed to leave in free agency. To take over as Cam Newton’s blind-side protector, the Panthers signed former Viking Matt Kalil to a five year, $55.5 million deal. Matt joins his brother Ryan, who plays center, in Carolina. However, Matt is coming off a hip injury and has been inconsistent at best during his career, making this a risky deal for the Panthers.
4 — Getting older in the secondary
After Gettleman refused to sign star corner Josh Norman to a long-term deal last season before watching him sign in Washington, Carolina has struggled mightily in the secondary. Despite April’s draft being loaded with defensive backs, Gettleman decided to take the Ryan Grigson route and signed two veterans. First came Captain Munnerlyn, who returns to Carolina on a four year, $17 million contract after three years in Minnesota. Munnerlyn had three passes defensed and zero interceptions last season. Carolina then added safety Mike Adams, a 14 year veteran, to a two year, $4.5 million deal. Adams had two interceptions and two forced fumbles while leading the Colts in tackles last season.
5 — Letting Ted Ginn Jr. walk
Ted Ginn Jr was instrumental in Carolina’s Super Bowl campaign after Kelvin Benjamin was lost to injury before the season. But after 54 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns, Ginn was not retained and signed a three year, $11 million deal with divisional rivals New Orleans, replacing Brandin Cooks as Drew Brees’ deep threat after Cooks was traded to the Patriots.
