Pat Elflein is joining up with the Panthers. The former Vikings and Jets offensive lineman has agreed to a three-year, $13.5MM deal with $6MM fully guaranteed at signing, as ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets.
Elflein started 15 games at guard for the Vikings in 2019, and he started the 2020 season opener before suffering a torn thumb ligament. That injury forced him to the injured reserve list. And, shortly after returning to practice, the Vikings released him. That led him to the Jets, who were 0-9 at the time and had the league’s No. 1 waiver priority spot.
The Jaguars, Bears, Dolphins, Ravens, and the Washington Football Team also entered bids for Elflein — it’s not clear if the Panthers were also in that group. Either way, they were keenly interested this time around. Elflein will now be tasked with clearing lanes for Christian McCaffrey and protecting the starting quarterback, who may or may not be Teddy Bridgewater.
If he was any darn good as a Center, then why did the Vikings draft a Center and move Pat to Guard? If he was any good as a Guard, why was he released when he returned from his injury? Possibly that the player who replaced Pat outplayed him (in the blocking scheme used by the Vikings.)?
nentwigs,
Elflein was likely released at his own request so that he could get some recent film in the can for free agency, a strategy which apparently worked. His initial replacement for the Vikings was a disaster, but then they plugged in 2020 2nd rounder Ezra Cleveland, and he looked like a keeper. For some bizarre reason known only to the FO and coaches, they stuck with career back-up Dakota Dozier all year at LG, who should have been benched for Elflein.
Elflein had played guard and center at Ohio State, and there was always some thinking that he was more suited to guard. He had two surgeries after his rookie season and wasn’t able to complete his rehab in time to open the 2018 season, and was weak all year. Hence, the drafting of Garrett Bradbury in 2019. His pass blocking continues to be a problem, but Elf got some good reviews in New York for his run blocking. Not from PFF, though. PFF founder Sam Monson has always been down on Elflein.