4 Panthers players who could be on the trade block in 2021
By Dean Jones
Stephen Weatherly – Carolina Panthers DE
Stephen Weatherly deservedly received an opportunity to make a starting spot his own last spring when he signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. The defensive end shone behind Pro Bowl duo Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen during his time with the Minnesota Vikings and although Mike Zimmer wanted to keep him around, they weren’t in a position to match the offer made to the former seventh-round pick in free agency.
To say Weatherly failed to grasp this chance would be something of an understatement. He didn’t record a single sack in 358 snaps before ending his campaign on the reserve/injured list.
This was an experiment from the Panthers’ perspective.
And one they would be wise to move on from this offseason.
Weatherly is set to count $7.95 million against the salary-cap in 2021, which equates to a saving of $5.95 million if the Vanderbilt product is moved on ahead of time.
His release seems almost inevitable and won’t go unnoticed by any possible trade partner. So if the Panthers want to get anything for Weatherly before shipping him out to pastures new, then it will be for minimal compensation.
However, something is better than nothing. And the Panthers have already proven their ability to find players deep in the NFL Draft who can contribute.