Carolina Panthers: 5 potential casualties if salary cap reduced in 2021
By Dean Jones
Pick Analysis. CAROLINA PANTHERS. 2. player. Scouting Report. MATTPARADIS. 87. C
Carolina Panthers Player No. 2: Matt Paradis (C)
Matt Paradis has plenty on his plate in 2020 if he wants to forge a long-term future with the Carolina Panthers. The center has been a disappointment since joining the organization on a three-year, $29 million deal. And this is a pivotal campaign for the player.
The Panthers made substantial changes to their offensive line during the free agency period. But the coaching staff had no real alternative other than to give Paradis one more chance to provide himself given his contract situation.
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Whether he can make the most out of another opportunity is up for debate. But he appears to be a prime candidate for release next spring regardless of how he performs.
Paradis will count $10.33 million against the Panthers’ salary cap in 2021. Releasing the player would save Carolina around $5 million, which could be put to better use with less financial resources available than expected due to the current climate.
A center earning this type of salary needs to come up with some elite production to justify the commitment. This is something that Paradis just hasn’t done during his time in Carolina so far. And the jury is still out as to whether he can turn things around at this stage of his career.
The lineman will need to form a close bond with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from the outset. And his awareness across the line of scrimmage is another area that has trended on a downward curve over the last two years.