5 players whose time with the 2020 Panthers won’t be remembered

Eli Apple – CB

There were more than a few eyebrows raised when the Carolina Panthers signed Eli Apple to a one-year, $3 million deal late in the free agency period. It did fill a problem area at cornerback despite the obvious concerns regarding the player’s ability to cover efficiently. But this move was nothing short of a disaster.

Apple got injured during training camp after suffering a hamstring problem. This prevented him from making an immediate impact and by the time Matt Rhule ran out of patience with the player, he saw the field for just 34 defensive and special team snaps over a two-game period.

Carolina released Apple shortly after there was a reported disagreement between the player and Rhule about his hamstring and whether or not he should practice. The former Baylor man has demanded nothing but 100 percent commitment from his roster in the first year of his tenure and it didn’t take long for him to provide the veteran with an early route out of the organization.

This was seen as being the last chance saloon for Apple, who has failed to live up to expectations after he was selected No. 10 overall by the New York Giants in 2016 out of Ohio State.

It’s worth noting that no other team picked Apple up following his release, which could mean his extremely unforgettable stint in Carolina might be the last time we see the player in the NFL.