Panthers re-signed LT Byron Bell to a one-year, $2.187 million contract.

A restricted free agent tendered at the second-round level, Bell stalled, but predictably couldn't find a team willing to submit an offer sheet. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound former undrafted free agent struggled at right tackle last season, but the Panthers believe he's a better fit on the blindside because it was his college position. Carolina's tackle situation is a major concern.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera is convinced Byron Bell will benefit from moving to left tackle this season.

Bell was a liability in pass protection at right tackle last year, but Rivera believes he's a better fit on the left side because that's where he played in college. The Panthers offensive line is a major concern after losing Jordan Gross to retirement, with Nate Chandler currently penciled in opposite Bell. ESPN's David Newton "would be surprised" if Carolina didn't draft a tackle in the first round.

Byron Bell is currently penciled in as the Panthers' starting left tackle.

The Panthers have been hinting at Bell moving from right to left tackle since Jordan Gross retired. Considering Bell has mostly struggled on the right side, it may not be the best plan of attack. The Charlotte Observer projects the current Carolina line as follows: LT Bell, LG Amini Silatolu, C Ryan Kalil, RG Chris Scott, RT Nate Chandler. It's a major problem area for GM Dave Gettleman.

Coach Ron Rivera confirmed at the league meetings that the Panthers are considering shifting Byron Bell to left tackle.

"I don't think it's a bad move if he ends up being our left tackle," said Rivera. It's a scary possibility because Bell has been a liability at right tackle, and would face more athletic edge rushers on Cam Newton's blind side. The Panthers' O-Line is a bigger concern than their receiver corps at this point.

Panthers tendered a contract to restricted free agent OT Byron Bell.

The Panthers have yet to announce what level Bell has been tendered at. Although Bell has been bandied about as a candidate to replace retired LT Jordan Gross, he's barely held his own on the right side over the past three seasons. He'd almost certainly be a disaster on Cam Newton's blindside. The Panthers' tackle issues are such that they couldn't afford to let Bell get away, but there's no guarantee he'll be a starter in 2014.

Coach Ron Rivera said RT Byron Bell could replace retired Jordan Gross at left tackle.

"I played left tackle in college. I'm naturally left-handed. I do everything left-handed," Bell said. "If I play right tackle, that's fine. If I play left tackle, that's fine." After struggling mightily on the right side the past three seasons, it would be a tall task for Bell to make the switch. The Panthers can patch the interior of the line together, but they quite possibly need two new tackles.

ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton believes restricted free agent Byron Bell could be replaced at right tackle.

Ideally, the Panthers would turn Bell into a swing tackle off the bench after he again struggled badly last season. But in the wake of stalwart left tackle Jordan Gross' retirement -- and with no real in-house options to replace him -- they're going to have a very hard time finding two new starting tackles. Just finding one is hard enough.

Panthers RT Byron Bell will be the team's starting right tackle for the third consecutive season.

Bell, signed as an undrafted free agent out of New Mexico in 2011, has been one of the worst starting right tackles in the league over the last two seasons. The Panthers tried him at guard for one game last year, but he was a disappointment. The right side of Carolina's offensive line is a glaring problem.

Panthers OL Byron Bell will move back to right tackle after starting at right guard in Week 7.

Bell started inside at guard against the Cowboys, while Garry Williams started at right tackle, but second-year player Jeff Byers is now lining up as the team's right guard in practice this week. After center Ryan Kalil went down in Week 5, veteran Geoff Hangartner was shifted to the middle. Bell graded out poorly at guard against Dallas, so Carolina is kicking him back outside. He'll have his hands full with the Bears pass rush on Sunday.

Coach Ron Rivera expects RT Byron Bell (ankle) and LB Thomas Davis (hamstring) to be available at Atlanta after missing Week 3.

Although Garry Williams and Bruce Campbell are in the mix, coach Ron Rivera expects Byron Bell to take over as the starting right tackle following the Jeff Otah trade.

"(Bell) played pretty doggone well last year," Rivera said. "We were one of the top scoring teams in the league last year with him in there at right tackle. We think a year of experience bodes well for him and he'll continue to grow."

Byron Bell opened Panthers OTAs as the team's first-string right tackle, ahead of Jeff Otah.

Otah worked with the second-team offense. Coach Ron Rivera is adamant that Otah will have to earn his spot after missing all but four games over the past two years. Bell, the incumbent starting right tackle, is a subpar talent and 2011 rookie free agent. He was the weak link of Carolina's front five last season.

Undrafted rookie Byron Bell will take over as the Panthers' starting right tackle after Jeff Otah (back, knee) was placed on injured reserve.

The Panthers were pleasantly surprised by Bell's performance in his first fill-in start, but Pro Football Focus grades him out as one of the least effective pass- and run-blockers in his five games this year. It's a clear downgrade for the Panthers offense.

Undrafted rookie Byron Bell will start this week at right tackle in place of Jeff Otah, who sustained a concussion in Week 1.

Cam Newton already figured to come back down to Earth this week against the Packers. Now he has an undrafted rookie trying to block Clay Mathews and friends on the Green Bay pass rush. It's a downgrade for all Carolina fantasy players.