What’s next for the Panthers in free agency, impact of COVID-19
The surprises in the first week of Panthers free agency were limited.
The most unexpected move was the release of safety Eric Reid, but other than that, nothing truly shocking took place. Moving on from almost all of the team’s free agents was expected, as The Observer reported leading up to last week, and the team’s signings fit what is being built.
This is an unprecedented time around the world and there are many more important things going on beyond NFL free agency. But there is an impact from the coronavirus on the league. There have been a lot of questions about what’s going on and what’s next in free agency. We’re going to tackle some of the most commonly asked and pressing questions.
Why is it taking longer than usual for teams to announce signings?
The Panthers have begun to announce free agent signings, but it’s taking longer than usual this offseason because of the coronavirus. NFL teams are restricted from bringing players in to give them a physical and they cannot travel to players to do so either. Physicals are an important part of NFL contracts. Teams want to make sure the players they are signing are healthy and there isn’t anything they are unaware of.
Getting a physical right now isn’t as easy as usual. Add on to that the fact that the team and the player have to agree to the doctor administering the physical, and it gets more complicated. Hence the delay in finishing those deals. The announcement about quaterback Teddy Bridgewater and other players The Observer has reported are joining the team will likely come shortly.
As a reminder, these rules are not assisting a potential trade of Cam Newton. His health is a question mark for interested teams.
What’s the latest with offseason programs for the Panthers?
The team was scheduled to start its offseason training activities (OTAs) April 6 due to the hiring of a new head coach, Matt Rhule, in January. Teams without new head coaches were scheduled to start April 20. All offseason programs have been delayed and there is still no update on when or if they may be rescheduled. Like the rest of the sports leagues around the country, the NFL is aware that this is an unprecedented situation and is working on solutions.
Less time in offseason programs hurts the Panthers and other teams with new coaches as they need time to teach and coach players on the new system. That’s why having someone like Bridgewater, who will be at least partly familiar with coordinator Joe Brady’s new offense from their time together with the Saints, is beneficial.
Another concern with the lack of offseason programs for the Panthers? Rhule has said that they are looking for players in the draft who have traits that the staff thinks they can “coach.” A lack of offseason programs with the rookies — originally scheduled to begin in May — will make that more difficult.
“I think it comes down to traits and how they fit and that’s why that whole process we had, ‘hey, this our vision for what a three technique looks like in our defense.’ Doesn’t mean we have to find the best three-technique in college, it means we have to go find the guy in college that has the traits we think we can coach,” Rhule said at the NFL Combine. “I think it’s really a fun process to find those traits and say, ‘hey, what’s the vision for them within what we do?’”
Depending on how things go over the next few months, it’s worth keeping in mind that the team could have a lot less time with their draft picks, which could adjust the way they look at prospects from what Rhule described back in February.
What’s to come in free agency?
The Panthers still have positions to address, such as offensive guard, as their free agents find new homes elsewhere. Finding more depth for the offensive and defensive lines in the coming weeks wouldn’t be surprising as they have only signed one player for each unit so far this offseason (guard John Miller and defensive end Stephen Weatherly) and both lines suffered multiple losses in free agency. Along with a significant need for a DT, the Panthers don’t really have a logical player on the roster to replace now-Giants cornerback James Bradberry. It’s something they’ll have to address in the coming weeks or in the draft.
Blockbuster deals shouldn’t be expected . Most of the top players are signed anyway, and the Panthers have showed they are more inclined to sign players who have potential to one or two-year deals and see what they can do. More of that to come.
Do the Panthers have a plan?
This question has been popping up a lot. So to put it to rest, yes, there is a plan. The Panthers are not just going through free agency and the draft blind and figuring things out as they go. The plan may not be one fans like to see, going after cheaper, less established players and signing them to short-term deals, but this team isn’t just building for 2020. Even with general manager Marty Hurney having one year left on his deal and even if it isn’t a total rebuild, there is a plan beyond this season in mind. “Patience,” like David Tepper has said so many times, will be key.
