5 bold predictions for Carolina Panthers vs. the Saints in Week 2
By Brian Lane
Carolina Panthers K Zane Gonzalez will make every attempt
The kicker position has been a revolving door of late and the Carolina Panthers made another move this week to help solve their ongoing woes. This might just be karma coming back to haunt the organization after letting go of Harrison Butker back in 2017, who is now a Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Panthers cut Ryan Santoso on Tuesday and signed veteran Zane Gonzalez off the Detroit Lions practice squad. Hopefully, the veteran can solidify the position long-term.
Gonzalez is a proven kicker who should get another real shot after spending the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Santoso – on the other hand – made his NFL debut in Week 1.
The recent acquisition was 16-for-22 for a 72.7 percent success rate on field goals back in 2020 with the Cardinals, but was 31-for-35 for an 88.6% clip as recently as 2019.
The Panthers are looking for someone reliable enough to kick it through the uprights on extra points and anything 35 yards and in. Something both Santoso and Joey Slye haven’t been able to do of late.
Gonzalez will make the most of his new opportunity with Carolina and have a perfect Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, which could make all the difference.