Has Stephen Weatherly played his last down for the Carolina Panthers?
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers’ options with Weatherly
It promises to be another eventful offseason for the Carolina Panthers next spring. Head coach Matt Rhule has laid some solid foundations for a successful future, but they need another strong recruitment process when the 2020 campaign concludes to get them to the next level.
Carolina might decide that Stephen Weatherly simply isn’t worth the financial commitment coming his way in 2021. The former Vanderbilt product is set to make a base salary of $4.4 million and count $7.95 million against the cap.
If released, it would save the Panthers $5.95 million that could probably be spent better elsewhere.
This seems like the most likely scenario at this juncture, although Carolina might decide to explore a possible trade avenue for Weatherly prior to the 2021 NFL Draft. Teams are always looking for complementary pass-rushers to boost their depth and the player proved adept at this during his time in Minnesota.
It would be nothing more than a conditional late-round pick, but it’s better than nothing.
It simply hasn’t worked out for Weatherly. The Panthers were right to gamble on his potential in a more prominent role and it’s not like it’s harmed their chances of a postseason place in any way thanks to the relative lack of expectations on their shoulders this season.