5 Panthers players with expiring contracts who won’t be back

3. Chris Manhertz – Carolina Panthers TE

Simply put, the Carolina Panthers need a complete overhaul of their tight end position. It’s been an area of real disappointment for an offense that has set the NFL world alight at times and this is something that cannot continue if they want to be considered in the postseason discussion next year.

Carolina is missing Greg Olsen’s reliable presence over the middle in the passing game after the organization opted to allow the Pro Bowler to leave in free agency. Ian Thomas and Chris Manhertz were tasked with filling the void and they just haven’t been able to reach the standard needed.

This probably falls more on Thomas than it does Manhertz, who is seen as more of a blocking tight end. It might be a dying art across the league, it is still of significant use.

He’s performed well in parts despite his obvious limitations. However, if the Panthers want to take that next step then they need better options at a position that is growing in importance league-wide with every passing year.

Manhertz is currently counting $1.29 million against the Panthers’ salary cap this season. That might be on the cheap side for a starting tight end but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.