Panthers LT Russell Okung Mulling Retirement Due To COVID-19 Concerns

Update:

J.I. Halsell, the agent for Panthers LT Russell Okung, tells Josina Anderson that his client has yet to make any decisions.

“(Okung) hasn’t decided anything. He’s keeping his options open as we get further into camp and hopefully a season,” Halsell tells Anderson.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Panthers LT Russell Okung is considering the possibility of retiring due to concerns related to COVID-19.

Okung missed 10 games last year, due to a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots.

A source tells Fowler that Okung is comfortable walking away from the NFL after he seriously considered opting out before Thursday’s deadline.

The Chargers traded G Trai Turner to the Chargers for Okung back in March.

Okung, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Seahawks back in 2010. After six years in Seattle, Okung signed a one-year, $5 million contract that included a team option with the Broncos in 2016. 

Okung later signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Chargers that included $25 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salary of $13 million in 2020. 

In 2019, Okung started six games for the Chargers at left tackle. While he did not play enough snaps to qualify, his 62.4 rating by Pro Football Focus would have rated him as the No. 55 offensive tackle out of 82 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Okung as the news is available.