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The Carolina Panthers took care of one of their top offseason priorities on Thursday, signing right tackle Taylor Moton to a four-year, $72 million extension.
This came mere minutes before the deadline for franchise-tagged NFL players to sign extensions with their current teams. Of those who had the tag placed on them this past spring, Moton was the only player to sign an extension ahead of the deadline.
With this crossed off the Panthers’ to-do list two weeks ahead of training camp, we look at three more moves the team should consider this summer.
Carolina Panthers trade for Jarrett Stidham
Once Carolina acquired Sam Darnold in a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets, it became clear that Teddy Bridgewater was going to be one-and-done with the team. Ultimately, he was dealt to the Denver Broncos. With very limited options on the NFL free-agent market at quarterback, the Panthers might now need to hit the trade block to find a capable backup behind Darnold.
Former third-round pick Will Grier did not see action as a sophomore last season after throwing zero touchdowns against four interceptions as a rookie in 2019. P.J. Walker remains a major wildcard. Why not offer up a late-round pick to New England for Stidham? At the very least, he’d provide competition to back up Darnold. It also doesn’t hurt to have some insurance in case the former Jets’ first-round pick falls flat on his face in Carolina.
Carolina Panthers sign Tyler Eifert
We know that tight end doesn’t play a huge role in Carolina’s offense under Matt Rhule. Even then, these Panthers need to find someone capable of actually putting up some production at this position. The team’s two top tight ends are Dan Arnold and Ian Thomas. Carolina also selected former Notre Dame star Tommy Tremble in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Adding someone like Eifert to the mix would simply give Darnold another weapon to work with as he attempts to resurrect a fledgling career. After multiple injury-plagued seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, the former Pro Bowler has responded to the tune of 79 receptions for 785 yards over the past two seasons.
Carolina Panthers pull off blockbuster trade for Chandler Jones
The question here becomes whether Carolina believes that it can compete for a playoff spot in 2021. If not, trading for this impending free agent wouldn’t make a lot of sense. With that said, Jones remains firmly on the trade block and was among the most-dominant edge rushers in the NFL prior to an injury-plagued 2020 campaign.
From 2016-19 with the Cardinals, he recorded 98 quarterback hits to go with a league-high 60 sacks. Imagine Jones teaming up with Brian Burns on the outside. It also doesn’t hurt that the three-time Pro Bowler would be reuniting with former Cardinals pass-rush coach Don Johnson. Perhaps, Yetur Gross-Matos and a future mid-round pick could get this done.