Just a couple of months ago, the Carolina Panthers pass rush, and defensive line needed urgent repair. The Panthers had ignored their pass rush for far too long. To rebuild the unit, it appeared that early-round draft picks were required to be spent on pass rushers and defensive linemen to help both now and in coming seasons.

A draft and a couple of free agent signings later, and general manager Marty Hurney has pretty miraculously brought the Carolina pass rush unit from rags to riches. Gerald McCoy, signing to a one-year, $8 million deal, gives the Panthers another premier interior rusher with Kawaan Short. New additions Brian Burns, Bruce Irvin, and Christian Miller join Mario Addison to form a quality rotation on the edge that was sorely missed last season.

Why did the Panthers sign McCoy?

Rarely do the Panthers find themselves in serious contention for big-name free agent targets like McCoy. They also sprung a surprise by signing Matt Paridis, another high-dollar free agent. Why have they been so aggressive this offseason?

Marty Hurney and Ron Rivera know their jobs depend on winning in 2019. New owner David Tepper was rumored to be considering significant changes towards the end of last season. In response, Hurney has brought together a front seven that Ron Rivera can succeed with immediately. If the Panthers fail to make the playoffs again this season, Tepper will almost certainly be making a total regime change.

What can McCoy bring to the Panthers?

Schematically, McCoy is a great fit in both the 3- and 4-man fronts that Ron Rivera could deploy in 2019. In the 3-4, McCoy can play at defensive end opposite Kawann Short with Dontari in the middle at nose tackle.

#Panthers updated front-seven: DT Gerald McCoy

NT Dontari Poe

DT Kawann Short

OLB Brian Burns

ILB Luke Kuechly

ILB Shaq Thompson

OLB Mario Addison *DT Vernon Butler and OLB Bruce Irvin also in the mix. Seven former first-round picks. — Nick Mensio (@NickMensio) June 3, 2019



In the 4-3, the six-time Pro Bowler can be paired with Short to wreak havoc on the interior, with Poe, Kyle Love, and Vernon Butler part of the rotation as well.

The Panthers interior defensive line struggled in 2018 following the departure of Star Lutolelei. Last year’s big free agent grab Dontari Poe had a down year, and Vernon Butler continued to struggle. However, adding McCoy immediately takes the unit from subpar to the top tier.

Gerald McCoy is signing a one-year deal with the Carolina #Panthers, per @AdamSchefter. Carolina now has two of the top-30 interior defensive linemen from the 2018 season in McCoy and Kawann Short: pic.twitter.com/oMS0gxLMd4 — PFF CAR Panthers (@PFF_Panthers) June 3, 2019

What does signing McCoy mean for the Panthers?

Hurney and Rivera are sending a message that it’s time to win now. Heading into the 2019 offseason, the Carolina Panthers had several pressing needs across the roster that made the outlook for the upcoming season not exactly an optimistic one. However, the McCoy signing rounds out an aggressive free agency haul that gives the Panthers their best front seven since their NFC Championship 2015 season. With the chips moving to the middle of the table, will Hurney and the Panthers now bring in a safety?

The $8.5 million base leaves the Panthers with about $8 million in usable dollars for draft picks etc. – Matt Kalil money kicked in just in time. https://t.co/jlQWJ76Jok — Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 3, 2019

The Carolina Panthers have yet to sign draft picks Brian Burns and Greg Little, which would leave them with about $4 million when they do. That may be sufficient enough space to bring in a veteran safety to fill the Panthers biggest remaining hole, and ensure the Panthers can deliver in “win-now” mode.