Former Miami Dolphins and current Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Robert Hunt showed some major love to Miami and Dolphins fans in a message on social media.
WOW!!!!!! Man dreams really do come true! I’m forever GRATEFUL for my time in miami and I’m FOREVER GRATEFUL for the FINS FANS. You guys embraced me with open arms from Louisiana Lafayette and had my back for 4 strong years wow thank you!! I’m gonna miss All my brothers man!
— Robert Hunt (@RobertHandyHunt) March 12, 2024
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hunt spent the past four seasons with Miami, starting 55 of the 61 games that he appeared in.
Injuries limited Hunt to just 11 games in the 2023 season, but he still cashed in on a major deal.
The offensive lineman reportedly agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal with Carolina, a massive payday to protect second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
Robert Hunt joins the #Panthers on a five-year, $100 million deal, per @Schultz_Report.
WOAH! pic.twitter.com/ekrvDYsynr
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) March 11, 2024
Hunt also shared how excited he is for the next chapter of his NFL career.
I’m Grateful for the past and Excited for the FUTURE #KeepPounding
— Robert Hunt (@RobertHandyHunt) March 12, 2024
Losing Hunt is a pretty major blow to the Dolphins’ offensive line, which will look a little different in the 2024 campaign.
Miami has dealt with tons of changes so far this offseason. It released linebacker Jerome Baker and cornerback Xavien Howard, two core pieces of the team’s defense, recently. Then, on Monday, the team watched several players get poached in the opening hours of the NFL’s legal tampering period.
Hunt (Carolina), Christian Wilkins (Las Vegas Raiders), Andrew Van Ginkel (Minnesota Vikings) and Brandon Jones (Denver Broncos) all joined new teams. While star wideout Tyreek Hill doesn’t seem to be concerned about the departures, it seems that Miami is looking to shed some of its higher-paid players – and players that were due new deals – this offseason to build for the future.
In Carolina, Hunt is going to be tasked with helping rebuild an offensive line that struggled to protect Young in his rookie season.
The University of Alabama product was sacked 62 times in 16 games as a rookie, and he struggled to get the Panthers offense moving all season long.
Last season in Miami, Hunt allowed just one sack and posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 77.1. The Panthers are clearly hoping he can be an anchor on the offensive line for years to come after giving him a long-term deal.
Carolina finished with the worst record in the NFL last season, so it may be a bit of an adjustment for Hunt after playing for a playoff team in Miami the last two seasons.
