Former Panthers C Ryan Kalil Comes Out of Retirement to Sign With Jets
By Parker White
He had the itch and now he's back on the gridiron.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, former Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil is coming out of retirement and is signing with the New York Jets.
Stunning plot twist: Former #Panthers C Ryan Kalil will come out of his brief retirement to join... the #Jets, sources say. He’s agreed to terms, pending physical. A huge veteran influence to join QB Sam Darnold at a position of need.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2019
Rapoport also reported that the two sides have been talking for quite a while (seven weeks, to be exact). This is a huge addition for the Jets, a team with a major void at the center position.
This addition is 7 weeks in the making. That’s how long conversations have going on. GM Joe Douglas will find talent anywhere... including those who planned to retire. https://t.co/Zfwdbkztsk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 1, 2019
Kalil, 34, is a former second-round pick by the Panthers in 2007, and he announced before last season that it would be his final campaign. I guess he wasn't completely sold on not playing anymore, as he'll be back in pads and starting for the Jets this year.
Talk about a slap in the face to Carolina.
The five-time Pro Bowler spent his entire 12-year career with the Panthers. Even last year knowing he was calling it quits, Kalil was rated as the No. 16 center by Pro Football Focus.
You think Kalil just wanted out of Carolina?
So did Ryan Kalil just not want to be with Carolina anymore?? Was that a Bull crap retirement???? OR?????????
— Brady (@ncbrady12) August 1, 2019
?
It's not like Carolina couldn't have used Kalil's presence on the offensive line. Instead, he'll have second-year quarterback Sam Darnold behind center instead of Cam Newton. Maybe Kalil saw this unusual route as the only way he could play under a different quarterback not named Cam.