Loser: Panthers break the bank for left tackle Matt Kalil
It’s well known by those who evaluate NFL talent that Matt Kalil is not a very good left tackle. In fact, to say he’s average would be a tremendous overstatement. He’s well below average — just as likely to get his quarterback sacked as he is to make a successful stand.
So it was no surprise when Minnesota Vikings fans and people who study game tape started losing it on social media when news broke that the Carolina Panthers were signing Kalil to a five-year, $55.5 million contract with $25 million guaranteed.
https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/status/839931073224130560
Adding Matt Kalil is a perfectly fine move. Paying him $55 million is like swatting a fly with a blowtorch.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 9, 2017
It’s like the guys in the Panthers’ front office have it in for Cam Newton at this point. Kalil is awful in pass protection. When he’s not getting burned by speed on the edge he’s getting bulldozed into the quarterback on a power move.
Matt Kalil nearly getting Bridgewater killed. Notice Kalil's base, and inside leg taking a false step? Ugly. pic.twitter.com/A8hCk7MjUD
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 3, 2015
Honestly. The Panthers would have been just as well off handing Mike Remmers another contract. It’s just incomprehensible what the Panthers did here, especially because Kalil, who was absolutely atrocious in 2015, missed all but two games last year with a hip injury.
For shame. At least his brother, Ryan, is excited about playing on the same team. That’s about the only thing we can think of that doesn’t suck here.