Panthers bring Michael Jordan back to Carolina
The Panthers are bringing Michael Jordan back to Carolina. This is Michael Jordan the offensive lineman, not the Basketball Hall of Famer.
Earlier this year, the Carolina professional sports scene received word that Michael Jordan was looking to sell his majority ownership stake in the Hornets basketball team to minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall. However, there has been no update regarding a potential sale since. What we do know is Michael Jordan is remaining in Carolina.
No, not that Michael Jordan.
On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers announced that they have re-signed offensive guard Michael Jordan.
Panthers re-sign guard Michael Jordan
Jordan spent his collegiate career at Ohio State, where he immediately became a starting offensive lineman in his freshman year. He was the first true freshman offensive lineman to do so since Orlando Pace did so back in 1994. Jordan played in 40 games in three years before declaring for the NFL Draft in 2019. Jordan was selected in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals, remaining in the state of Ohio.
After two years, Jordan was waived by the Bengals ahead of the 2021 season, and was claimed by the Panthers. Jordan was primarily a starter in his first year, but was relegated as a rotational option on the offensive line. Jordan played just 54 snaps last season and allowed two sacks, per Pro Football Focus.
Jordan will remain with the Panthers, but it is a new look team. Frank Reich, the team’s first-ever quarterback, is the head coach. There is a new quarterback and potential face of the franchise in Alabama’s Bryce Young. Not to mention they signed tight end Hayden Hurts, running back Miles Sanders, and wide receivers Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark.
The Panthers opted to maintain depth on the offensive line, and decided to bring back Jordan.