4 recent releases who could help the Carolina Panthers in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which veteran players who were recently released might interest the Carolina Panthers in 2021?
It’s going to be a busy few weeks across the league as teams start trimming the fat to comply with the new salary-cap restrictions. The Carolina Panthers acted swiftly to release some established veterans to prime themselves for a good run at free agency, which could do their chances of making a postseason bid in 2021 the world of good if they get recruitment right this spring.
COVID-19 has complicated financial matters on almost every NFL team. The cap is coming down to no less than $180 million thanks to revenue losses and most organizations are going to be making some significant sacrifices between now and when competitive action gets underway once again.
Nobody expected the pandemic to take such a stronghold, even though there does appear to be some light at the end of the tunnel regarding vaccine rollouts. That will be of no comfort to teams facing financial hardship in 2021 but they’ll just have to make the best out of a bad situation and hope things improve next year.
Carolina Panthers have a big opportunity this offseason.
This is just the world of the world currently. Everybody – whether in the NFL or in normal life – has had to adjust in some way or another. But this might represent a window of opportunity for Carolina to pick up some instant-impact players who might not have been available in normal circumstances.
On this topic, we took a look at four players who’ve been recently released that could help the Panthers’ plans for progression in 2021.
Player No. 1
Nick Easton – G/C
- 2020 team – New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are $65 million in the red despite Drew Brees converting all-but the veterans’ minimum of his salary into a signing bonus ahead of his impending retirement. This has left some tough choices awaiting those in power to keep them competitive and it began with the release of versatile offensive lineman Nick Easton.
To say the Carolina Panthers need reinforcements on their protection would be something of an understatement. Taylor Moton and Matt Paradis look to be staying around. But the same cannot be said for Chris Reed. John Miller, and Russell Okung thanks to poor performances or injury problems.
Easton played center for the Saints but has no trouble slotting into one of the guard spots if required. This experience will be invaluable for whoever is under center, although that’s unlikely to be Teddy Bridgewater if Carolina’s early offseason intent is any indication.