Opportunity awaits Panthers’ Brady Christensen as he prepares for upcoming free agency

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The circle of life in the NFL is cruel .

The last time Brady Christensen started a game he tore his right biceps muscle against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 of the 2023 season. He will make his next NFL start on Sunday against the Falcons after his longtime teammate and friend, Austin Corbett , tore the biceps muscle in his left arm in a 36-10 loss to the Chicago Bears last week.

Oh, and Christensen will be playing an entirely new position — center — which he just started learning this past summer after being supplanted by a pair of highly paid guards , Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, in free agency.

“OTAs, took a ton of snaps,” Christensen said. “And then, last game, I took those last quarter of snaps. . . . But I’ve been preparing, basically, my whole time in the NFL. ”

Corbett out, Christensen in: A huge opportunity

Christensen spent the first five games of the season mostly playing on special teams.

While he got 19 live reps at center against the Bears following Corbett’s injury, Christensen has never started a game at center, and he hasn’t played a regular role on the line since September of last year.

As he enters the final 12 games of his rookie contract, Christensen sees an opportunity in front of him, especially if he can make the most of his position switch to the center of the line.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me,” Christensen said. “I’m excited. You know, you play this game to play on Sundays, and so I’m really, really excited and happy for my opportunity. And I’m just going to go grasp it and have fun, work my butt off, lean on the guys, and just really take advantage of it.

“Cause that’s the goal — I’m not looking far ahead, I’m just going to take this a week at a time, a day at a time, and keep getting better and improve myself daily. And really, dive into the playbook and the game plans, and everything else.”

Christensen played right tackle in high school. He played left tackle at Brigham Young in college.

In the NFL, he has started at left tackle and left guard, while spending some time on the right side of the line as well.

But with his latest move to the middle, he’s got a new job description. He will need to snap the ball and call pre-snap protections for his veteran QB, Andy Dalton.

Over the past few months, Christensen has leaned on Corbett, his predecessor, for guidance and mental reps.

“I’ve just been studying him, learning from him, (and) watching him,” Christensen said.

Christensen has worked with Corbett — who is also set to hit free agency in March — for three years. The pair have dealt with their fair of individual injury woes together.

But the latest injury setback for Corbett will probably bring them even closer together, as Christensen will now take on his pal’s old job out of necessity.

“He’s handled (center) great, and you know, it’s just the mentality of the ‘next man up,’” Christensen said. “And that’s what I’m planning to do, and he’s a stud and it’s been fun watching him. My heart goes out to him and what he’s going through. It’s not an easy thing, and so it’s just a real bummer to see it.

“But, at the same time, it’s next guy up, and I’m pumped for my opportunity.”

Level of comfort

Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu was disappointed to hear about Corbett’s season-ending surgery. But the 2022 first-round pick is looking forward to what Christensen can bring to the center spot.

“I can’t say enough about Brady,” Ekwonu said. “I think he’s played literally every position that you could ask him to play on the offensive line. So, definitely impressive — the skill set that he has — and definitely excited to have that chemistry with him already.”

Panthers head coach Dave Canales noted that Christensen looked strong during his limited reps at center against the Bears. Christensen had one snap issue during the game against Chicago, but for the most part, he held his own.

While Canales said the team will evaluate the center position on a weekly basis, Christensen is looking to cement himself in the lineup against Atlanta.

“I’ve been working on it for a while, and I feel confident in the playbook and the protections and everything,” Christensen said. “So, just going to study my butt off this week, and get ready to go. I’m excited — I’m going to have a lot of fun, and just excited for the opportunity.”

If Christensen can make the most of his latest position flip, he could cash in next offseason during free agency.

He has every reason to take his new post and run with it to the bank.