There’s been quite a bit of noise surrounding the Carolina Panthers’ need for another pass rusher—and Yetur Gross-Matos has been hearing it.
The 25-year-old defender spoke with reporters following Sunday’s training camp outing. When asked what’s different about the approach heading into his fourth pro campaign, Gross-Matos said he’s hungrier than ever.
“Probably knowing it’s my last year on this contract,” he said of the reasoning behind the appetite. “I hear stuff from the fans. I wanna prove a lot of people wrong. I wanna be the best version of myself.”
So, what stuff does he hear from fans?
“Fans say they need an edge rusher, and that I’m not good enough,” he replied. “I wanna prove to people that I am who I say I am. I know what I’m capable of.”
Thus far, Gross-Matos hasn’t exactly been a sack artist throughout his short NFL career. While a solid run defender, the 2020 second-rounder has amassed just 8.5 sacks in 43 games.
But with his switch from defensive end to outside linebacker in the team’s new 3-4 base defense, perhaps Gross-Matos can finally be who he says he is.
