"Turk" wharton

[CmC2k]

We definitely overpaid but as long as he's not lined up at NT he's been a starter level player which is a major step in the right direction compared to last year's D-line. 

Because of his contract he'll definitely be here next year, but I fully expect him to be a cap casualty next offseason.  We'd save 15M in cap space if we cut him in 2027. I don't think he sees year 3 of his deal.

I'd be open to keeping him around in 2027 but his deal would have to be reworked to a substantially lower number. 

[kungfoodude]

12 hours ago, 07579394 said:

Plan B of Milton Williams.

Yeah, I was wrong about paying him that money. Dude has absolutely been worth it.

Wharton was a panic signing on a bad deal.

[kungfoodude]

1 hour ago, CmC2k said:

We definitely overpaid but as long as he's not lined up at NT he's been a starter level player which is a major step in the right direction compared to last year's D-line. 

Because of his contract he'll definitely be here next year, but I fully expect him to be a cap casualty next offseason.  We'd save 15M in cap space if we cut him in 2027. I don't think he sees year 3 of his deal.

I'd be open to keeping him around in 2027 but his deal would have to be reworked to a substantially lower number. 

The issue is that he is significantly worse than Robinson, who was far, far, far cheaper.

[Carolina Cajun]

49 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

The issue is that he is significantly worse than Robinson, who was far, far, far cheaper.

And in fairness, Robinson looked brutal last year however he looks like a legit decent starter, and I think its because he benefits from having DB next to him as opposed to what he had last year.  I think A'Shawn is showing to be a decent D-Lineman, but hes also far from dominant so as long as he has 1 on 1 he holds his own and does his job, where as last year because we were so bad he was doubled and focused a lot.

That said, Turk...woof.  He was brought in to provide pass rush...and he doesnt.  He gets blown up in run plays too...hes just bad.  Defense is better when Bobby Brown is in the game because even though he doesnt provide pass rush, hes MUCH better against the run.  

[kungfoodude]

44 minutes ago, Carolina Cajun said:

And in fairness, Robinson looked brutal last year however he looks like a legit decent starter, and I think its because he benefits from having DB next to him as opposed to what he had last year.  I think A'Shawn is showing to be a decent D-Lineman, but hes also far from dominant so as long as he has 1 on 1 he holds his own and does his job, where as last year because we were so bad he was doubled and focused a lot.

That said, Turk...woof.  He was brought in to provide pass rush...and he doesnt.  He gets blown up in run plays too...hes just bad.  Defense is better when Bobby Brown is in the game because even though he doesnt provide pass rush, hes MUCH better against the run.  

And even Brown has been more disappointing than I expected. I was more amped about that signing than Wharton. He has been fairly middling, TBH.

[WhoKnows]

On 12/6/2025 at 6:39 PM, Jmac said:

This dude is doing work helping the defense progress. You don't hear his name alot, but he has toughened up the line and has starting snaps since he has recovered from the nagging injuries. He is part of the reason why the run defense has improved.

They took a risk signing him and it is paying off. Watch him and you will be impressed by his play. A big part of the reason why the D is where it is.

Might as well put the source in your post: https://catcrave.com/panthers-addition-making-an-under-the-radar-push-that-changes-everything

That article came out yesterday as well. I read that so instantly thought of it and your post on the same day.

[ProcessBlue2]

Evero has been doing some stuff where he lines him up at Edge. I really think he would be a decent run stopping edge (rotational) if he thinned up a bit and worked on his lateral movement. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Wharton is a good player but we simply don't have the depth on the D-line to play him properly. In 2024 the Chiefs only played him on 33% of defensive snaps.

[PleaseCutStewart]

Ummm... No. When this guy's highlight for the year is doing a stop drop and roll to avoid 12 guys on the field, you are having an awful season...

[Dingo_ate_Babies]

Losing out on Milton Williams hurt us and it’s showing. We put that money towards Turk and Bobby Brown and they both are underperforming. It may just be a scheme issue with Turk, he thrived in the 4-3, but not so much in 3-4. Bobby brown just seems like an expensive backup who’s only good against the run. 

[theinstrumental]

The FO panicked and threw a bunch of money at a need, which is their MO. We can get off of it after next year, though.

[Mr Mojo Risin]

He's been pretty much what he's been since he entered the NFL. They overpaid him to play out of position essentially. He has still matched around his average production from previous years but you don't pay FAs to come in and be better than what they've shown. Definitely overpaid but it is what it is hopefully he can make some plays down the stretch and we'll all feel a little better about it

[kungfoodude]

1 hour ago, Mr Mojo Risin said:

He's been pretty much what he's been since he entered the NFL. They overpaid him to play out of position essentially. He has still matched around his average production from previous years but you don't pay FAs to come in and be better than what they've shown. Definitely overpaid but it is what it is hopefully he can make some plays down the stretch and we'll all feel a little better about it

Yeah, I am not saying he is doing anything wrong. I just didn't like the move by the front office.

It felt panicked. 

[PNW_PantherMan]

On 12/8/2025 at 8:07 PM, TheSpecialJuan said:

Wharton is a good player but we simply don't have the depth on the D-line to play him properly. In 2024 the Chiefs only played him on 33% of defensive snaps.

So his natural position is on the bench?