The Carolina Panthers did a great job with the Rasheed Walker deal.
The Carolina Panthers signed Rasheed Walker to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million this offseason.
During a conversation with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, an NFL executive from the AFC praised the Panthers-Walker deal.
"Nobody was paying him $20 million [a year], but no way I thought it would be that low," an AFC executive said. "Capable tackles usually get way more than that. That's a great deal for Carolina. I'm thinking many teams would have done that deal."
Walker, a former seventh-round pick out of Penn State, started the last three seasons at left tackle for the Green Bay Packers.
The veteran is looking forward to blocking for Panthers starting QB Bryce Young next season.
"Bryce Young, he's a great player," Walker said. "He texted me when I signed, he said, 'Hey, what's up,' and he showed some love. I've been watching some of his highlights. He's just a good player, great athlete. I love when my quarterback is an athlete, that's always good. I'm going to protect him. I'm going to do my job and protect him."
The Panthers made the playoffs last season, losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. Walker said something was happening in Carolina that attracted him to the opportunity, saying it felt like a "home environment."
"I just saw the opportunity," Walker said. "And I like where the program was headed, and I just wanted to be a part of it. So that's why I chose Carolina."
With Walker in the fold, it will be fascinating to see if Young's sack numbers go down in 2026.
Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
However, Carolina is not expected to sign Young to an extension this offseason.
The first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform. He's only 14-30-0 as a starter.
Panthers Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Panthers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
