Signing this veteran safety named Panthers’ best last potential offseason move
The Carolina Panthers’ roster for the 2021 season is mostly set. As always, there will be some surprise cuts before the games begin, but we have a good idea of who will be on the field come Week 1.
One spot that we don’t have any real clue about is Tre Boston’s former position at free safety. Since releasing him for a total of $3.5 million in cap savings, Carolina hasn’t signed or drafted any proven replacement at the position. It’s possible one of the DBs currently on the roster will surprise us and turn out to be a solid starter. However, it’s not hard to see things going bad on the back end if no upgrades are made.
That’s why bringing in a veteran at this spot is a good idea. According to Field Yates at ESPN, signing safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is the best last offseason move that Carolina can make.
“The Panthers have reshaped their safety group this offseason, including a full-time move to the slot for last year’s rookie sensation Jeremy Chinn. The team reportedly took a look at Clinton-Dix a little while back, so there’s an established level of curiosity. He has bounced around in recent years and isn’t a definite starter by any means, but depth at a position that looks light right now is a good pre-camp investment.”
Adding Clinton-Dix isn’t a bad idea, but he is well past his prime at this point in his career. A better option on the field would be Earl Thomas. However, it appears whatever he got up to behind the scenes in Seattle and Baltimore was enough to scare off the other 30 teams permanently.
Whatever path coach Matt Rhule and GM Scott Fitterer decide to take, they have to act quickly if their plans at free safety fall apart.
