The Carolina Panthers added several key playmakers to the defense this offseason, but they could add another in free agent Julian Blackmon. A third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Utah product has spent his entire five-year career with the Indianapolis Colts. However, despite overall strong play, Blackmon remains unsigned with training camp right around the corner.
The Panthers brought Julian Blackmon in for a free agent visit earlier in the offseason, but nothing came of it. However, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, that could change in the coming days. In a recent post, the longtime team insider noted the Panthers are actively looking for more help on defense and could pursue Blackmon.
“If they’re going to be out shopping for more help, the good news is there are multiple qualified guys at the spot they’re thinnest at (safety). Guys including Julian Blackmon, known commodity Justin Simmons, and several more are still sitting there on the market. They spent the spring looking at young options there, but could stand to be more experienced and deeper.”
Panthers Linked to Free Agent Julian Blackmon
While Gantt named multiple players, it’s notable that Julian Blackmon was the first free agent he mentioned. The team brought him in for a visit earlier in the offseason, so perhaps the two sides could unite at or around the start of training camp.
Carolina already added a big-name free agent safety in Tre’von Moehrig, but the rest of the depth chart could use some help. Seeing as the team already shored up the defensive tackle and edge defender positions, a second starting-caliber safety is the last glaring need on the defense. Signing Julian Blackmon as a free agent could fix this problem, and while nobody will confuse this unit with the 1985 Chicago Bears, the defense should be adequate in 2025.
Main Photo: Christine Tannous – Imagn Images
