5 Panthers players on the hot seat at training camp in 2021
By Dean Jones
John Miller – Carolina Panthers OG
The Carolina Panthers presented John Miller with a second chance to make a good first impression, so to speak. After a 2020 campaign that was full of inconsistency, the interior offensive lineman was re-signed to a one-year deal that came with a fraction of the financial commitment he generated last spring.
That was to be expected when one considers how poor Miller was at times. The former third-round pick has to avoid the sort of complacency that crept into his game last time around and there are some young bucks breathing down his neck in pursuit of playing time at training camp.
The likes of Brady Christensen, Deonte Brown, and David Moore arrived from the college ranks and have some upside. Couple this with the free-agent signing of Pat Elflein and the return to health of Dennis Daley, and Miller must raise his level of production to earn starting responsibilities.
Miller came to the Panthers on the back of some encouraging displays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Things didn’t go according to plan in 2020 and if the veteran continues to show frailty, he could be on the outside looking in by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Much will depend on whether Miller can find enough motivation in the face of additional competition. It would cost the Panthers $137,500 if they parted ways with him before the campaign, which represents a saving of $850,000 that could be better spent elsewhere.