The Panthers have their new quarterback. Now they have to protect him.
The first transaction the team has made after dealing for Sam Darnold is signing free agent offensive lineman Martez Ivey, per Adam Schefter at ESPN.
Panthers have signed free-agent offensive lineman Martez Ivey to a one-year contract, per agents @NFLrecord and @DrewJRosenhaus.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2021
Ivey (6-foot-5, 306 pounds) played his college football at Florida, where he lined up mostly at left guard and left tackle. The Panthers likely see him as a backup for both spots.
At the moment, we’re projecting Pat Elflein to start at left guard and Trent Scott at left tackle, but the acquisition of Darnold makes it much more likely Carolina will use its first-round pick on the top left tackle prospect that’s still on the board when they pick at No. 8.
Adding Ivey helps make up for some of the OL depth the team lost in free agency. Expect them to sign another guard or two before the offseason program reallly begins, though.
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