According to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, the Panthers have agreed to trade right guard Trai Turner to the Chargers in exchange for their left tackle Russell Okung. He says the deal will become official when the new league year begins, which is March 18.
It’s a surpise move by a franchise that had given the impression it was only interested in rebuilding for the future this offseason. Okung has championship experience, but trading a 26-year old lineman for a 32-year old one is going to raise some eyebrows.
Clearly, the Panthers have serious concerns about Greg Little’s future in the league. The 2019 second-round pick suffered multiple concussions and an ankle injury as a rookie. While things look murky for Little, this move raises far more questions about the direction the team is taking and if they know what they’re doing.
For what it’s worth, Okung played for offensive line coach Pat Meyer the last three years, so at the very least he’ll know the system.
