John Matsko’s history developing offensive linemen bodes well for Redskins
Matsko’s work with the Panthers: Undrafted free agents
Matsko was with the Panthers for the entirety of the Ron Rivera era from 2011 to 2019. In his most recent coaching stop, he showed a penchant for finding quality starting linemen on the undrafted free agent market.
Matsko’s first solid find with the Panthers was Byron Bell. The undrafted free agent out of New Mexico emerged as a starter for the Panthers as a rookie after a concussion sidelined starting right tackle Jeff Otah. Bell took on the role and didn’t look back, playing in 62 games (56 starts) for the Panthers from 2011 to 2014.
Bell wasn’t perfect as a starter, but he was solid enough for an undrafted player and he hung around the league for eight years, five of which were as a primary starter.
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The next great find that Matsko uncovered was certainly his best. That would be Andrew Norwell. The left guard went undrafted out of Ohio State in 2014 and signed with the Panthers. With the team, he made a big impact. He emerged as a starter early in his rookie campaign and helped serve as a strong interior blocker for the squad. The trio of Norwell, Ryan Kalil, and Trai Turner were key to the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl 50 and helped the run game to hum and compensate for a lack of top-tier tackle talent.
Norwell was named an All-Pro first-teamer in 2017 during his final season with the Panthers. Matsko helped coach up Norwell and turn him into one of the game’s better guards as evidenced by his rock-solid tape and the lack of penalties called on the competitor with top-level technique.
Norwell has spent the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars after signing a five-year, $66.5 million deal that made him the highest-paid guard in the league at the time of the signing. He has still found success but without Matsko by his side, he hasn’t been quite as strong of a blocker.
Getting two starting linemen as undrafted free agents is pretty solid overall and speaks to Matsko’s ability to develop talent. The Redskins will hope that he can work some magic on some of the back-end roster talent that they have on the offensive line.