8 former Carolina Panthers still looking for a new team in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which former Carolina Panthers players are still looking for a new team in 2021 almost three weeks into the free agency period?
There has been plenty of movement regarding former Carolina Panthers players over the last week. The team hasn’t brought many out-of-contract roster members back into the fold after another 5-11 season in the first year of Matt Rhule’s rebuild, which is in keeping with what was expected but has still left them short of depth at key positional groups.
This will obviously change in the coming weeks before OTAs roll around. The Panthers still have plenty of salary-cap space available – $23.45 million – if they want to acquire some established players on the cheap that can bring immediate assistance. But finding some longer-term solutions is also going to be crucial during the 2021 NFL Draft with another high pick at their disposal.
Carolina showed some signs of growth in Year 1 of Rhule’s reign, although they appear a couple of years away from being considered as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Former Carolina Panthers players feeling the effects of a changing market.
This period of recruitment is absolutely pivotal for the organization’s plans for progression and if they can get almost every decision right, it should stand them in good stead with plenty of questions surrounding the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South.
The free-agent market is still littered with proven players who have achieved a considerable amount during their time in the league. A shrinking salary cap has meant sacrifices like never before in order to comply with the new financial sum available. And the Panthers have had to do their fair share of cost-cutting themselves in pursuit of improving the roster.
The likes of Chris Reed and Corn Elder were the latest former Panthers to find employment over the last few days. But which eight other players haven’t been as lucky so far?