Cherelus down. We need to be talking about LBs even more

[TD alt]

What I learned from this thread: any ol' linebacker off the waiver wire will do when it comes to backups. They all come with the same strengths and weakness, and are basically carbon copy throwaways. Equally of no importance, is their importance on special teams. 

Edited August 8, 2025 by TD alt

[PantherChris]

Ohhh thats so it! I know why we suck under teppppper 

 

No first round linebackers!

[Greatman77]

I don't follow the off-season developments as closely as many of you do, but this is the first time I think that I couldn't name a single linebacker on the Panthers without help.

[Panthers Fan 69]

14 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Y'all need to chill on the LB panic and just come to grips with the reality that it's gonna be a weak spot and we're gonna be dumpster diving on the waiver wire to fill in the gaps. The last thing we need to do is make some panic move and trade real assets for a bandaid like we would've certainly done in the past under Rhule and Fitterer.

Or give two firsts for parsons and problem solved. 

[LinvilleGorge]

2 minutes ago, Panthers Fan 69 said:

Or give two firsts for parsons and problem solved. 

And new problems created, especially if Bryce regresses or plateaus at mid-level.

[PantherChris]

18 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

And new problems created, especially if Bryce regresses or plateaus at mid-level.

Ehhhh let's just see what happens lol.

But the sense of urgency and mild panic the OP posted with is still kind of hilarious when talking about a dude with 13 career tackles 

[mrcompletely11]

42 minutes ago, Panthers Fan 69 said:

Or give two firsts for parsons and problem solved. 

No non qb is ever worth 2 firsts and a max deal

[Navy_football]

1 minute ago, mrcompletely11 said:

No non qb is ever worth 2 firsts and a max deal

Yeah, that's pretty crippling. You need to have a Seattle LOB with Russell on a rookie contract situation for that move to remotely make sense.

Still can't believe Panthers passed up 2 firsts and a 2nd/3rd for Burns. A friggin one dimensional pass rusher that had problems finishing sacks, and so bad at setting the edge that teams actually targetted him in the run game. Crazy!

[Gapanthersfan]

From what I think I see, Dan has shown patience in finding the RIGHT guy at the RIGHT price. Even beyond his playing days here, he’s been in football long enough to see what happens to a team when you overpay for an overhyped ‘talent’. He understands locker room chemistry and politics. 

A team is a fraternity. They all have their own vibe. Just because a guy may have measurables doesn’t mean he is a fit (Johnson). This previous draft class and recent free agents appear to be cut from similar cloth.

If I may be so bold, Dan seems to have an eye for the long game. 

[CPcavedweller]

11 hours ago, PootieNunu said:

No one in the league has replaced Luke....

He was the last off ball LB to win DPOY and probably will be for the foreseeable future.

The position is down not even any really elite MLBs in the league right now. 

 

The Browns got a middle linebacker in the 2nd round that is looking an awful lot like Luke Kuechly to me. 
 

obviously you’re not going to replace Luke, a Hall of Famer (in my opinion). My issue is that we didn’t even try. With Derrick Brown in place, our next move should have to been to evaluate and find an inside linebacker, then a safety, then you go outside. 
 

I love Jaycee but having a Top 7 corner in the NFL netted us the worst defense in NFL history last year. 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

This situation is similar to the one at the safety position.  We need a band aid.  Wait for cuts and look at that coupled with the remaining free agents still available.  Dan can find an equal or better replacement without overpaying.  Probably not going to fall into a Luvu like player but the team will be able to get by.  

[LinvilleGorge]

29 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

No non qb is ever worth 2 firsts and a max deal

I wouldn't say ever but certainly not in our situation. If you had a team that was right there on the cusp of being a legit contender with a glaring weakness at pass rushers, maybe. But that's obviously not us.

[tukafan21]

Can only fill so many holes in one offseason, this was just the last one in the priority order, it is what it is.

Also always likely to end up seeing some vets be cap casualties towards the end of camp, likely will be able to find someone before week 1 to sign

[tukafan21]

1 hour ago, Panthers Fan 69 said:

Or give two firsts for parsons and problem solved. 

How does trading multiple firsts for Parsons and giving him a massive contract do anything to solve our MLB problem?!?!