Breaking: Panthers are working on a deal to sign bargain $3.25 million free agent

This would help solve a major issue

This offseason, Dan Morgan has conducted business as usual. A well-defined strategy was implemented, focusing on providing quarterback Bryce Young with additional support. Although it was required, there are concerns about the defense’s potential performance after such a big shift in investments.

Ejiro Evero, Carolina’s defensive coordinator, is expected to accomplish more with less. Things are in a perilous position, particularly if certain well-known celebrities continue to experience the same injury difficulties. It is helpful to find veterans who have prior experience with his schematic demands, but it is not a guarantee.

This bares more significance on the edge. The Panthers traded Brian Burns to the New York Giants. They lost Yetur Gross-Matos and Frankie Luvu in free agency. Morgan acquired Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Wonnum, and K’Lavon Chaisson from the veteran pool, but the jury is still out as to whether or not they can replicate the production lost.

Carolina Panthers urged to consider free-agent Markus Golden

Morgan has not finished rearranging the roster. According to the general manager, their top priority will be to be active on the waiver wire. In addition, Carolina has $6.88 million in salary-cap space available to fill any remaining voids, should the appropriate opportunity arise.

The scouting department of The Bleacher Report found one cheap free agent still available that they believed the Panthers should sign. Even though Markus Golden is clearly nearing the end of his career, this might be a good temporary fix that, at the very least, offers an improvement in depth.

“Defensively, the [Carolina] Panthers need to find more pieces to replace the production of Brian Burns, who was traded early in the offseason. Jadeveon Clowney will help, but consistency has never been his biggest asset. Markus Golden, who produced four sacks with the [Pittsburgh] Steelers last season, is another potential bargain option to consider.”

Throughout his lengthy career, Golden has recorded three games with more than ten sacks. Like other players, he has seen ups and downs, but last season, he recorded four quarterback takedowns from 22% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps, suggesting that good football might still be played in the appropriate setting.

There is, of course, a certain amount of risk. All it takes to see how these actions could go either way is to look at how things ended with Justin Houston the previous season. Morgan was present to witness that firsthand, so it could make sense to give people who are already there a chance to grow with more responsibilities before deciding on any extra steps.

Not only are edge-rushing options something the Panthers need to consider. Although they are in severe need of a cornerback, nothing has changed with Stephon Gilmore, despite the fact that both parties seemed to be interested in one other before to the 2024 NFL Draft.

Clowney and Wonnum won’t be sufficient on their own. It would be shocking if Morgan didn’t add another competent player unless someone like Chaisson or D.J. Johnson makes enormous progress in the upcoming months. It would be organizational malpractice to do anything less.

Golden could be an option if the cost is reasonable. Meanwhile, the Missourian, a former second-round pick, may be holding out for a team that has a greater chance of making the playoffs in 2024.

Regardless of which way it goes, the Panthers cannot afford to regress when it comes to putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. After all, the last thing Morgan needs is skepticism around his personnel decisions when positivity is so high right now.