Former Jets, Vikings Offensive Lineman Gets Paid By Panthers

Former New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Pat Elflein has reportedly signed a three year deal with the Carolina Panthers in free agency

Max Goodman | Mar 15, 2021

Versatile offensive lineman Pat Elflein has reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The deal for Elflein is worth $13.5 million, with $6 million fully guaranteed, per Schefter. It's a solid payday for the 26-year-old capable of playing both guard positions and center.

Elflein was claimed by New York off waivers midway through last season. The former third-rounder was in his fourth season with the Vikings before he ended up with the Jets.

When Elflein arrived with Gang Green, he appeared in six games (and made six starts). Head coach Adam Gase—before he was fired at the end of the season—was particularly fond of Elflein due to his ability to play different positions up front.

"We always look at it as anytime we get guys that can snap, that can play center or guard, there’s a lot of value there," Gase told reporters in November.

Jets Have Green Light to Spend With 'No Financial Restriction' In Free Agency

We'll see how Carolina uses him going forward, but to give him a three-year deal means they must have been pretty impressed with what they saw from him in green and white last year.

The Jets need some help on the interior of their offensive line as well, but will pursue other top-tier options. With plenty of cap space available, expect New York to be interested in Packers center Corey Linsley and Patriots guard Joe Thuney, among others.

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Published Mar 15, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.