Even without the decision from Carolina Panthers veterans Ryan Kalil and Julius Peppers to retire, it is likely general manager Marty Hurney would have attempted to reconstruct both the offensive and defensive lines this offseason. An inability to protect quarterback Cam Newton and significant decrease in pressure production hinted at the need for new options along both units.
Retirement news cast a spot light on the issues and Hurney has been hard at work to address these positions. Already, the Panthers have signed former Denver Broncos center, Matt Paradis, and added defensive lineman, Bruce Irvin – both moves that many analyst view as immediate improvements.