After getting a ”No” from Deshaun Watson’s camp on Thursday, the Panthers could do only one thing.
Take their rejection and move on.
So far, they have.
During the first week of free agency, Carolina extended its top receiver, DJ Moore, announced it reached an agreement with cornerback Donte Jackson, re-signed kicker Zane Gonzalez and signed at least three potential starters to fill holes that were much needed, without overspending.
Jackson, who tested the free-agent market this offseason, has agreed to a three-year deal with the Panthers, reportedly for three years and $35.1 million.
Pairing Jackson, 26, with Jaycee Horn, 22, for years to come makes their cornerback room better. Jackson has grown into one of the team’s leaders. In four seasons, he has 12 interceptions and two forced fumbles and has shown improvement each year. He just has to stay healthy.
Signing Moore, who received a three-year extension, with $61.9 million in new money, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, means Carolina has one of the top wide receivers in the league for years to come. With a good quarterback, he should only get better. Moore has had 1,100 yards in each of the past three seasons.
He has caught passes from Sam Darnold, Cam Newton, Cam Newton again, P.J. Walker, Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Allen, Will Grier and Taylor Heinicke during that three-year span.
The new guys the Panthers signed were also impressive. They signed safety Xavier Woods, offensive guard Austin Corbett, center/guard Bradley Bozeman, defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis, punter Johnny Hekker and running back D’Onta Foreman, and all should be key contributors next season.
Coach Matt Rhule needed a big offseason after finishing 5-12 in 2021, which left many wondering whether owner David Tepper would move on. Tepper decided to keep Rhule, showing patience as he enters Year 3.
With their cap situation in somewhat better shape, the hope was that the Panthers could have a big offseason. The research started the day after the season.
Although it hasn’t been as big as it probably would have been had they landed Watson, they’ve certainly improved the roster — upgrading at safety, punter, defensive tackle and right guard. Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for three first-round draft picks, two middle-round picks and a new five-year $230 million guaranteed contract the Panthers declined to promise him.
But Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer still need to address their two most important and perhaps expensive holes — left tackle and quarterback, or the shift they are hoping for won’t come together.
It’ll be tough to address both, especially because they are without a second- or third-round pick.
The good news is the left tackle class is deep, and one of the better left tackles — Charles Cross, Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal — could be there at No. 6.
“It’s gonna be best available,” Fitterer said earlier this month at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We went into this offseason with an emphasis on the offensive line. We see a lot of different options through free agency and through the draft, how we can address the offensive line, as well as quarterback.
“The biggest thing we want to do is have options at pick 6.”
The Panthers could also trade back and gain more assets, and rookie Brady Christensen could also play left tackle if they decide to draft a quarterback.
“We think there’s some talent in this class,” Fitterer said. “We think there’s some guys who can come in and help us.”
Getting a quality quarterback may be the hardest move. There are many draft experts who view this class as a weak one for quarterbacks.
The free-agent market is also drying up, and so are the potential trade options.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has emerged as an additional option with their trade for Watson, Packers’ Jordan Love became an option with Aaron Rodgers’ extension, and Jimmy Garoppolo is still out there from the 49ers, too. While the Panthers weren’t particularly high on Garoppolo, they’ve had conversations with the 49ers about him and the status of his shoulder after offseason surgery.
Regardless of who the Panthers get, Darnold can’t be the starter for the entire upcoming season.
The Panthers have to address both quarterback and left tackle, or their good moves this offseason can’t fully come together in 2022.
