LSU football and Minnesota Vikings fans may want to direct their attention to Charlotte, as Thaddeus Moss could be a great under-the-radar addition to the Carolina Panthers’ roster.
With the Washington Football Team releasing former LSU football star Thaddeus Moss, the son of Minnesota Vikings legendary wide receiver Randy Moss, it makes all the sense in the world for his next team to be the Carolina Panthers.
While it did not work out for the younger Moss in the nation’s capital, it is not like Washington had a competent NFL offense a season ago. Washington was able to win the putrid NFC East with a Jeff Fisher 7-9 B.S. record because of its incredible defense. The undrafted free agent out of LSU kind of got lost in what was a pretty difficult situation for most offensive players.
So the idea behind Moss heading to Charlotte is that he would be reunited with his former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady on the Panthers. Together, they were part of one of the greatest single-season offensive juggernauts the college football world has ever seen. This is an underrated move and one that could set up Brady, Moss and the Panthers for future success.
The Carolina Panthers are a perfect landing spot for Thaddeus Moss
This will be the second year of Matt Rhule’s rule in the Queen City. The former head coach of the Baylor Bears usually sees his teams “pop” in their second or third year. With second place in the NFC South up for grabs with the New Orleans Saints expected to regress and the Atlanta Falcons coming off a terrible 4-12 season, the rebuilding Panthers could arrive a season early in 2021.
By trading for former New York Jets starting quarterback Sam Darnold, the Panthers have a quarterback more in line with their competitive life cycle than journeyman Teddy Bridgewater could ever afford them. With Darnold expected to flourish in Brady’s scheme, he is going to need many talented pass catchers to rifle the pigskin to. Enter Moss as a potential answer at tight end.
No, Moss is not going to be the second coming of Greg Olsen in Charlotte. However, he does have serious NFL pedigree and has played an integral role on a championship team before. Even if he is not ready to see the field, Moss is a worthwhile player to have on the practice squad in Charlotte. Because he knows the scheme and will be playing with a chip on his shoulder, this could work out.
Ultimately, this is not a move that gives the Panthers a puncher’s chance to keep pace with the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South standings. However, it is a sound, long-term developmental project that could reap benefits for the Panthers when they are really ready to compete, probably in 2022. This is a low-risk, high-reward signing for Carolina.
By signing Moss in his free agency, the Panthers can upgrade their offense now and in the future.