The Carolina Panthers defense is still little in the middle, and they may get even thinner in the next few days. So, it’s about time to bulk up.
According to Jordan Schultz of theScore, the Panthers are “very interested” in Indianapolis Colts free-agent linebacker Bobby Okereke. The NFL insider also notes that the Chicago Bears, along with several other teams, will be in the market for the 26-year-old defender as well.
#Colts FA LB Bobby Okereke was a trending name in Indy. Lots of teams like him and sources say he has a significant market with several suitors – including the #Bears and #Panthers. I’m told Okereke could sign a deal in the $12-14M range, per season. @theScore pic.twitter.com/EkuLMMXiad
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 6, 2023
Okereke, of course, has ties to new Panthers head coach Frank Reich—whose Colts selected the Stanford University product in the third round of the 2019 draft. The four-year veteran is coming off a career campaign—one in which he posted bests in combined tackles (151), tackles for a loss (six), forced fumbles (two) and fumble recoveries (two).
The Panthers, as indicated in another report from Schultz, are expected to release linebacker Damien Wilson and save themselves $3.6 million in cap space. They could, additionally, part ways with Shaq Thompson—whose release would save another $13.2 million.
Regardless, Carolina’s defense needs some backers—with or without Thompson and/or Wilson. And Reich may take advantage of that Indy connection.
