With 75 days to go until the season opener, let’s take a look at the roster as it stands and what we can expect from the Panthers this season. Next up on the countdown is #75, LT Matt Kalil, who is expected to anchor the offensive line this season, and hopefully provide Cam Newton with the protection he needs to succeed.
Bio
Age: 27
Height: 6’ 7”
Weight: 315 lbs
Position: LT
Experience: 6 seasons
College: USC, 1st round (4th overall) pick by Minnesota Vikings in 2012 Draft
Career Stats: Hog Molly
Career
Matt Kalil... Hoo boy... there is a lot riding on his shoulders right now. With the expected absence of Michael Oher from the Panthers roster this season, it is pretty much accepted without question that Matt will start at left tackle for the team this year. Even if Michael Oher is around and healthy, we are not paying Matt Kalil $11,000,000 per season to sit and be a backup.
Matt Kalil was once though of as one of the future best tackles in the entire NFL. He left USC after his junior season and was drafted highly be the Minnesota Vikings to be their franchise LT. He was successful in his first two seasons, but his performance began to really diminish in year three. Despite starting two more full seasons, Vikings fans have complained that he simply was not cutting the mustard for them. In 2016, Kalil sustained a hip injury during training camp, and after two games of regular season work was put on injured reserve. He was then allowed to hit free agency, where the Panthers pounced on him.
There is reason for optimism, however, as he will be entering a better team situation in Carolina than he had in Minnesota. He is also uniting for the first time in either of their career with his older brother, center Ryan Kalil. Finally, all accounts say he is fully healthy and ready for action. Still... this is going to be one of those cases where we will need to wait and see what we get. His success is going to greatly impact the team’s success this year, so, no matter how you feel about the acquisition, strap in and cheer your heart out for him.