The Carolina Panthers’ shiny new free-agent additions aren’t all panning out, especially on the offensive line. While guys like Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd are boosting the defense, and Bobby Okereke and Darren Waller are paying dividends, the same can’t be said for new offensive tackle Rasheed Walker and center Luke Fortner. These two are getting absolutely shelled early on, and it’s making the whole offense a nightmare.
The Trench Troubles Are Real
It’s been a rough start for some of the new guys upfront. Fortner, who the Panthers signed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal to replace Cade Mays, is getting absolutely clobbered. He’s allowed the highest pressure rate among all centers through four games, clocking in at a brutal 8.5 percent. Pro Football Focus has him ranked 31st out of 33 qualified centers, which is just… not good.
Walker, who stepped in at left tackle while Ikem Ekwonu recovers from knee surgery, is somehow even worse. He’s allowed an NFL-high 20 pressures! His 11.2 percent pressure rate is second only to the Saints’ Asim Richards among linemen with at least 100 pass-block snaps. That’s a ton of heat coming right at the quarterback, and it shows.
Bryce Young Is a Miracle Worker
Honestly, these two are a huge reason the Panthers are allowing the highest pressure rate in the entire league right now. It’s truly mind-boggling that quarterback Bryce Young is actually off to the best start of his career despite getting almost zero protection from an offensive line that features three new starters. The dude is making fast reads and getting the ball out quick, and that’s the *only* reason their offense is even functional. It’s one of the most productive in the game, which is wild considering the chaos upfront.
And it’s not just Fortner and Walker, either. Right guard Robert Hunt has developed a weird habit of committing uncharacteristic penalties, and rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling has been totally inconsistent in pass protection. The only bright spot, left guard Damien Lewis, was actually playing well, but he’s now sidelined with a knee injury. What a mess!
The Panthers’ offensive line is a total liability right now. With Lewis out and the struggles of Walker, Fortner, Hunt, and Freeling, it’s a miracle Bryce Young is able to operate at all. They’ve got to figure this out, and fast, if they want to keep their offense productive and their young QB upright.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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