Expected to do what is necessary to retain right tackle Taylor Moton, the Panthers took another offseason step at tackle Tuesday. They reached an agreement on an extension with swing man Trent Scott.
Scott was set to be a restricted free agent in March. This move will bypass the RFA tender process, keeping the former Chargers starter with Carolina. It is a one-year contract that will still have Scott set for unrestricted free agency in 2022, barring another extension.
The Panthers picked up Scott as a waiver claim in September, putting him in a familiar position despite changing teams. Scott worked as one of Russell Okung‘s backups with the Bolts and operated in the same capacity with the Panthers, who traded for Okung last year. A former UDFA, Scott started nine games with the 2019 Chargers and took Okung’s place as the starting left tackle in four Panthers contests last season.
Scott and center Matt Paradis are under contract for next season, but most of Carolina’s O-line is not. The Panthers are prepared to use their franchise tag on Moton; he and Okung head up a lengthy list of Panther blockers who are on track for free agency. Guards Chris Reed, John Miller and Michael Schofield are also unsigned for 2021.