The Carolina Panthers had the opportunity to pursue star safety Budda Baker during the offseason, but he has now agreed to an extension with the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers are in dire need of a safety, as their current depth chart is weak and Xavier Woods, their current safety, is a free agent and has struggled with poor coverage and numerous penalties.
Baker, one of the top safeties in the NFL, was set to enter free agency and was a highly sought-after target for many teams, including the Panthers. However, he has now signed a three-year, $54 million extension with the Cardinals, which includes $30 million guaranteed.
The Panthers will now have to look elsewhere to address their safety needs. Other potential targets include Justin Reid, Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Simmons, Jeremy Chinn, Jevon Holland, Marcus Maye, Vonn Bell, Talanoa Hafunga, and Cam Bynum. While these players may not be as highly touted as Baker, they could still provide an upgrade to the Panthers’ secondary.
The Panthers’ defense has been a major concern this season, and addressing the safety position will be crucial to improving their overall performance. With Baker off the market, the Panthers will have to be aggressive in pursuing other options to shore up their defense.
In other news, former Panthers legend Greg Olsen expressed his disagreement with a penalty call on Xavier Woods during Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Olsen, who was calling the game for FOX, felt that the hit was clean and should not have been flagged. He also pointed out the inconsistency in the NFL’s officiating, citing a similar play later in the game that was not flagged.
The Panthers’ loss to the Cowboys was a disappointing one, and the team will need to regroup and refocus as they head into the final stretch of the season. With several key players set to depart, including Woods, the Panthers will need to be active in the offseason to address their roster needs and build a competitive team for the 2025 season.
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