This offseason, an NFL analyst is anticipating the Philadelphia Eagles to make a significant move in free agency by targeting a talented player from the Carolina Panthers, albeit not the one who typically grabs the spotlight.
While linebacker Brian Burns garners much of the attention with his impressive stats, including 46 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and two Pro Bowl appearances, it’s his teammate Frankie Luvu who quietly leads the Panthers in tackles.
Luvu, aged 27, topped the team charts with 125 tackles in the previous season, showcasing his consistent performance. Since joining the Panthers in 2021, Luvu has amassed 279 tackles, 168 of which were solo, overshadowing Burns’ tally by 116 tackles. However, it’s essential to note that Burns primarily operates as an edge defender in Carolina’s defensive scheme, boasting 26 more career sacks than Luvu.
According to insights from ESPN’s Aaron Shatz, the Philadelphia Eagles may set their sights on Luvu during the offseason. Luvu’s versatility to excel both off the ball and off the edge offers flexibility to the Eagles’ defensive strategies in the upcoming season.
Philadelphia’s makeshift approach to the linebacker position faltered in 2023, with Nakobe Dean, their third-round pick in 2022, struggling in his five-game stint as a starter before succumbing to an IR placement due to a Lisfranc injury. Additionally, the midseason addition of Shaquille Leonard failed to make a significant impact on the roster.
However, Eagles fans might face disappointment as the Panthers’ front office is keenly aware of Luvu’s value. Reports from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano suggest that Carolina’s new general manager, Dan Morgan, who also happens to be a former Panthers linebacker, is eager to retain Luvu for the 2024 season.
Spotrac.com projections indicate that Luvu could command a four-year contract with an annual salary of $11.2 million. While no Eagles linebacker carried a cap hit exceeding $6.9 million in 2023, the team’s projected $20.8 million in cap space for 2024, coupled with the glaring need at the linebacker position, could position Luvu as Philadelphia’s top priority when free agency commences on March 13th.
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