NFL Rumors: Carolina Panthers interested in Russell Okung
By Kareem Gantt
The Carolina Panthers are reportedly trying to lure offensive tackle Russell Okung to improve a leaky front wall.
The Carolina Panthers are serious in upgrading their offensive line to better protect Cam Newton. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are actively trying to sign free-agent offensive tackle Russell Okung, recently released by the Denver Broncos.
Without an agent, FA OT Russell Okung can’t be contacted by #Panthers until FA begins. But Carolina players are actively recruiting him now
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2017
Okung is one of the top offensive tackles in the league. For the first five seasons of his career, he was one of the anchors of the Seattle Seahawks’ stalwart offensive line. After opting into free agency in 2016, he spoke with several teams before signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the Broncos.
The contract included a four-year, $48 million option, but the Broncos weren’t so comfortable in picking up the option, letting Okung instead go into free agency.
The Panthers could use Okung’s services. Carolina’s offensive line was a major weakness on a team that disappointed with a 6-10 record in 2016. Aside from shoring up their leaky secondary, giving Newton a better line had to be tops on the list.
But the Panthers are not the only team that is actively chasing after Okung.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the Giants, Vikings, Jets, Broncos, and Chargers are all in the race to add Okung to their rosters, and, according to Rapoport, his former team, the Seahawks, are also interested in bringing him back to the Pacific Northwest.
Teams figuring to be in mix for LT Russell Okung this week, per source - Broncos, Jets, Vikings, Chargers, Giants
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 6, 2017
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Let the NFL free agency period begin in earnest.