5 Panthers offseason departures who’ll thrive elsewhere in 2021
By Dean Jones
Which former Carolina Panthers players who left the team this offseason could thrive on other teams in 2021?
It’s been another offseason of significant change for the Carolina Panthers, which wasn’t entirely unexpected considering the appointment of Scott Fitterer as the team’s new general manager. This has come with a fresh, invigorated approach to recruitment conducted with a purpose that has everyone associated with the organization looking forward with a cautious sense of anticipation.
Of course, there is just no telling how much progress can be made by the Panthers in 2021 until we see them over the first few games of the campaign. Carolina’s schedule looks quite favorable over the first seven weeks, so getting off to a good start could be the catalyst behind bigger and better things throughout the autumn.
There are those who were either sacrificed for salary-cap purposes or found better offers in free agency who are looking to make their way elsewhere next season. If they reach or even exceed expectations, it could leave Carolina casting some envious glances in their direction should things not go according to plan with the team’s new recruits.
With this in mind, here are five former Panthers players who left this offseason that could thrive on new teams in 2021.
Player No. 1
Michael Palardy – Former Carolina Panthers P
Releasing Michael Palardy was a no-brainer for the Panthers once Joseph Charlton performed to a high standard in 2020. The punter missed the entire campaign through injury and his time with the organization was cut short to free up some funds to spend elsewhere.
Palardy wasn’t on the free-agent scrapheap for long, signing with the Miami Dolphins. Hopefully, his injury problems are now a thing of the past and this could be a shrewd bit of business by a team that is heading into the 2021 campaign with some lofty ambitions.
As for Charlton, he made a lasting contribution last season after going undrafted, so it was no surprise to see him assume command of the No. 1 position even with Palardy returning to health.