3 Panthers players who could be restructured this offseason
By Dean Jones
Kawann Short – Carolina Panthers DT
- One-year remaining – $20.83 million salary-cap hit.
There appears little doubt that Kawann Short won’t be kept around with so much money owed to the player on the final year of his deal. The defensive tackle has been a fantastic servant to the Carolina Panthers since they took him in the second-round back in 2013. But with two injury-hit seasons under his belt, it has plunged his future with the franchise into serious doubt.
Releasing Short would save the Panthers around $9 million, which could be put to better use elsewhere. The former Purdue standout has all the talent in the world despite his advancing years, but reliability has become a real problem and something that Carolina will consider strongly when deciding his fate in the coming weeks.
A restructure is not out of the question. Short could still be a factor on a rotational basis given how well Zach Kerr and Efe Obada played in his absence last season. So having this trio fresh alongside No. 7 overall selection Derrick Brown would be a tremendous asset to call upon.
This move could also prolong Short’s career. Being a starter for so long has clearly taken its toll and not having so much pressure on his shoulders might be something he is considering after turning out just five times over the last two seasons.
On the flip side, Short might not be too keen on this and pursue a move in free agency to a team with a better chance of mounting a postseason push next season.