5 Carolina Panthers players on the hot seat this offseason
By Dean Jones
Matt Paradis – Carolina Panthers C
Matt Paradis was looking to bounce back this season after a dismal 2019 campaign that saw many wondering why the Carolina Panthers brought him into the organization during the free agency period. The center was just not up to standard and although things have picked up somewhat this time around, his status moving forward is up for debate.
Paradis is heading into the final year of his deal and is going to make a base salary of $7.03 million, counting $10.33 million against the cap. This represents a substantial saving of $4.93 million if the Panthers cut their losses, which would cause more upheaval to the protection but give them a solid chunk of change to use elsewhere.
The former Boise State prospect played in all but three snaps in 2020, giving up three sacks and conceding one penalty. This resulted in Paradis earning a modest 63.4 grade from Pro Football Focus and protecting the interior was an area in which Carolina really struggled for large periods of the campaign.
One could argue that four of the five starting offensive linemen might be gone from the Panthers this offseason. Hopefully, the organization can secure a long-term deal with Taylor Moton, but the rest face an anxious wait regarding their future.
Paradis is not exempt from this, and the amount of money Carolina could free-up with his departure is an enticing proposition.