Under coach Ron Rivera, the Carolina Panthers have preferred to play veterans at the safety position. It’s an understandable instinct, as putting inexperienced defenders in at the third level of the defense is often a formula for disaster. However, older players aren’t necessarily better and this strategy hasn’t always worked out.
Heading into the 2019 offseason, it appears the team may finally be changing their philosophy at safety. Two weeks ago, the Panthers re-signed Eric Reid to a three-year deal, making their first real investment in a player still in his prime (Reid is 27) at the position in a long time. Now, it sounds like Reid is going to get a younger partner to start with him.
In a post he shared on his personal Instagram page, safety Mike Adams said that the Panthers have told him they’re going in a different direction. He thanked the organization and city for the last two years.
Adams has played at least 13 games every year since the 2005 season and has 222 total under his belt. Apparently, he wants to keep playing and there’s a good chance he will catch on with another team.
How the Panthers proceed from here depends a great deal on their level of confidence in Rashaan Gaulden. A third-round pick in 2018, Gaulden did not see the field much as a rookie. He wound up playing only 143 defensive snaps, 14.4 percent of the team’s total.
Meanwhile, Adams played 94.2 percent, so that’s a significant snap count to make up for. If Gaulden can be the long-term starter next to Reid that would be an ideal scenario. However, Carolina should consider bringing in another option either via free agency or the draft.
