Former Rams veteran just did something he never could in Los Angeles

When the Los Angeles Rams struggled with a rash of injuries to offensive linemen in 2019, the team was compelled to trade for veteran IOL Austin Corbett from the Cleveland Browns. One month after the trade went through, Corbett was starting at left guard for the Rams, a spot he held for the final eight games of the season.

He remained with the Rams for two more seasons, eventually moving over to the right guard position. In 2021, he was cross-trained at center, but when that experiment failed, he returned to his starting guard role. He stayed with the team long enough to earn his Super Bowl LVI ring, starting every game throughout the playoffs.

But at the end of that season, he wanted to leverage his ring into a lucrative contract, as is the case for almost every NFL player who wins a Super Bowl. LA had too few dollars chasing too many players, and had to allow Corbett to test his market worth in the 2022 NFL Free Agency market, where he signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Former Rams OL Austin Corbett wins Panthers' starting job

Corbett is entering his fourth NFL season with the Panthers. While he started all 17 games for them in 2022, injuries have limited him to just nine games over the past two seasons. Over that time, he has become more of a swing offensive lineman than a starter.

The Panthers hope their luck has turned this season. Panthers head coach Dave Canales reported that Corbett has won the starting center competition and will be hiking the football to Bryce Young.

NFL analysts are starting to project the Panthers, who finished with a 5-12 record, to modestly improve this season to around the .500 mark. While not quite a playoff team, that confidence stems from the team’s impressive draft haul, which includes rookie wide receiver Tet McMillan. Austin Corbett will also be their starting center, something he could never achieve during his time with the Rams. As always, thanks for reading.

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