ESPN: Panthers may search for new starting ILB before start of regular season

The Carolina Panthers might consider searching for a new starting inside linebacker (ILB) ahead of the start of the regular season, according to ESPN. This possibility surfaced during the team's 34-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday night. The Panthers' third preseason game didn't provide a clear winner or favorite in the competition between 2024 third-round pick Trevin Wallace and four-year veteran Claudin Cherelus.

Both players started the game, but neither has emerged as the superior choice to man the middle of the defense. ESPN's Mike Kaye highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the position, noting that the Panthers' depth behind Devin Lloyd could potentially be improved before Week 1. Similar to tight end, it wouldn't be surprising for the Panthers to seek a veteran free agent linebacker before or after the cut-down deadline next week.

During the game, Wallace and Cherelus had nearly identical performance metrics from Pro Football Focus. Wallace earned a defensive grade of 54.0 and a tackling grade of 75.5, while Cherelus had a 53.6 defensive grade and a 75.0 tackling grade. The main distinction lay in coverage, with Wallace recording a 36.7 and Cherelus a 54.3.

Despite this, neither linebacker has demonstrated sufficient confidence to secure the starting role. ESPN suggests that general manager Dan Morgan will likely investigate the open market and the waiver wire over the next week. The NFL regular season begins with each team cutting their roster down from 90 players to 53 by next Sunday, presenting the Panthers with a variety of outside options at the ILB position.