4 Carolina Panthers facing make-or-break seasons in 2020

Carolina Panthers Player No. 4: Graham Gano (K)

There could be a kicking competition to keep a close eye on for the Carolina Panthers during training camp. This is down to the level of progression Graham Gano is showing after a serious leg injury ruled him out of the 2019 campaign.

The Pro Bowl kicker has a strong reputation as one of the best in the business at the top of his game. But it remains to be seen whether he can go back to the player of old with so long on the sidelines.

He is going to be given every chance to come in a win back his starting job from Joey Slye, who replaced Gano last season and performed extremely well. The player secured 78.1 percent of his field goals, had an 88.6% success rate with extra points, and went 8-11 from field goals of 50 yards or more.

This was enough for the Panthers’ front office to give Slye a one-year extension worth $640,000. But Gano stands to count $4.33 million against the salary cap in 2020 and it does not represent a significant saving if they decide to move him on.

That might be enough to give the ten-year veteran another chance to start. The Panthers remains in some financial difficulty with $11.1 million remaining in cap space and with only one of their seven NFL Draft picks signed.

Gano has a proven track record of making a difference when it matters most. His time in Carolina has been littered with injury frustration. And 2020 will probably be the last chance saloon for him.