4 ways Carolina Panthers are already winning the 2021 offseason
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers ridding themselves of dead wood
Although some decisions are going to be harder than others, the Carolina Panthers have made an eye-catching start to ridding the roster of established players who are no longer performing at the peak of their powers.
No fewer than six veteran pieces have already been removed from the organization during a brutal but necessary week that began with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short, Natrell Jamerson, and Woodrow Hamilton moving on and ended with Tre Boston, Michael Palardy, and Stephen Weatherly having their respective contracts terminated ahead of time.
There was always a hint of sentiment when it came to the previous regime.
But that is not the case now.
If the decision-makers feel it’s in the interest of the Panthers to cut certain underperforming players loose, they will not hesitate.
This can mean only good things moving forward.
It will give those already on the roster a sense of urgency that wasn’t quite there in the past. Matt Rhule doesn’t suffer fools gladly and he’s going to do whatever it takes to make sure those on the roster by the time competitive action rolls around in 2021 are on the same page and fighting for every yard.
If the Panthers had this attitude in the final years of Ron Rivera and Marty Hurney, they might not be in this mess.