4 worst contracts being paid by the Carolina Panthers in 2021

Kawann Short – Former Carolina Panthers DT

• 2021 salary – $11.01 million

This has nothing to do with the esteem in which Kawann Short is still held. And things might have been different had injuries restricted the defensive tackle to just five games over his final two seasons with the franchise.

But the fact Short’s dead-cap figure makes him the Carolina Panthers’ third-highest paid player behind Teddy Bridgewater – who’s also gone – and Robby Anderson is a testament to how poorly his contract was structured from the organization’s point of view.

Short was one of the best linemen in the business once upon a time. The Pro Bowler was a dominant force during the Panthers’ glory run in the mid-2010s, but the Purdue product still looking for a new home at this stage of the offseason means his days as a prolific starter might be a thing of the past.

Carolina saved around $9 million by cutting Short this spring with one year remaining on his deal. Even though they are still paying him just about $11 million in the process.

There is a small chance the Panthers and Short reunite. But the player could be on the lookout for a contender when the injury bug inevitably strikes either in the coming weeks or during the regular season.