Which Carolina Panthers players won’t be back with the team in 2022 based on what we’ve seen so far this season?
With eight games of the 2021 season now in the books, we have a clearer indication of where the Carolina Panthers currently stand and where they need to improve moving forward. Sunday’s vital win at the Atlanta Falcons gives fans enough reasons for cautious optimism ahead of the second half of the campaign, but considering how tough things are from a schedule standpoint after the bye week, it could still go either way.
Regardless of whether legitimate progress is made or not, it’s going to be another offseason of immense importance for the Panthers in 2022. Plenty of players are looking for contract extensions and there are still lingering questions surrounding quarterback Sam Darnold as the long-term answer under center.
Carolina already has a playoff-ready defense. So the sooner other areas can get themselves up to the required standard, the better their chances will be.
Without further ado, here are six Panthers players who will not be back in 2022 based on what we’ve seen so far this season.
Player No. 1
John Miller – Carolina Panthers OG
- 2022 free agent
The Panthers brought back John Miller on a team-friendly deal this offseason. It would be a shock if they did the same next spring.
Miller is one of many underperforming veterans on Carolina’s offensive line. While he is still a commanding force against the run, the player’s inability in pass protection has been glaring and it’s clear some fresh blood is needed.
The former Cincinnati Bengal is currently on the reserve/injured list. When it’s time to decide who to re-sign ahead of 2022 free agency, Miller should be looking for a new home.
Ian Thomas – Carolina Panthers TE
- 2022 free agent
There was so much hope for Ian Thomas once upon a time. The tight end looked tailormade to become Greg Olsen’s long-term successor at the position following an encouraging first two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, but the former fourth-round pick has regressed considerably since and is on the chopping block next spring.
Thomas has made some encouraging strides when it comes to blocking. But his relative lack of involvement in the passing game was not what anybody expected and the Panthers could decide to elevate Tommy Tremble into No. 1 on the depth chart or acquire a more prominent figure to assist in free agency or the 2022 NFL Draft.
Even though Thomas has been on the field plenty in 2021, he isn’t generating much in the way of targets and is having problems creating separation across the middle. Carolina’s current regime wasn’t around when the Indiana product was selected, so they’d seemingly have no problems moving on from him entirely.
Another team will take a chance on Thomas. A player with such impressive physical attributes normally gets another opportunity if their first one doesn’t work out.
However, it’s important that the Panthers get improved production from the tight end spot. Moving on from Thomas seems like the best possible solution at this stage.
Pat Elflein – Carolina Panthers OG
Dead cap:
- Pre-June 1: $4.64 million ($2.38M savings)
- Post-June 1: $4.27 million ($2.75M savings)
The Carolina Panthers raised plenty of eyebrows when they signed Pat Elflein to a two-year deal on Day 1 of free agency. His previous relationship with offensive line coach Pat Meyer from their time at Ohio State played a significant role in this decision, which hasn’t gone according to the script for all parties involved.
Elflein’s production prior to joining the Panthers couldn’t be classed as stellar. He was waived by the Minnesota Vikings after failing to build on a promising rookie campaign and things didn’t get any better over his short stint with the New York Jets.
These concerns haven’t been alleviated. Elflein’s dismal pass protection before going on the reserve/injured list was there for all to see and unless things take a positive step forward when he’s ready to return, he’ll be a primary candidate for early release after just one season.
Parting ways with Elflein ahead of time would cost the Panthers around $4.64 million in dead-cap, according to Over the Cap. A costly mistake and one that cast further doubt on just how capable the current regime is at evaluating pro talent.
Elflein won’t – and shouldn’t – have any complaints if Carolina goes in this direction. And it appears highly unlikely he’ll get another starting opportunity elsewhere.
P.J. Walker – Carolina Panthers QB
- 2022 free agent
Sam Darnold’s struggles under center are well documented and may force the Carolina Panthers into another bold move to improve their fortunes under center in 2022. The former first-round selection just hasn’t lived up to preseason expectations as yet, so it won’t be much longer before alternative plans are made at the most important position on the field.
Darnold is under contract through the 2022 season after the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option. But the time might have arrived for Carolina to avoid the temptation of a reclamation project or quick fix and get a potential franchise signal-caller from the draft, instead.
One problem with this is there aren’t many players at the position worthy of a top-end pick. The 2022 class is nowhere near the standard of this year’s crop, so any new arrival would need time to develop behind Darnold before potentially assuming command.
Just what direction Carolina goes down is yet to be determined. But the future of P.J. Walker doesn’t look promising, in any case.
It’s a difficult situation for Walker anytime he comes into a game. His one start was a victory over the Detroit Lions in 2020, but if the Panthers had any confidence in him long-term, he’d be competing with rather than backing up Darnold.
Walker does have a previous connection to head coach Matt Rhule from their time together at Temple. He is also cheap, so keeping him around in some capacity cannot be ruled out entirely.
Cam Erving – Carolina Panthers OT
Dead cap:
- Pre-June 1: $4.51 million ($2M savings)
- Post-June 1: $4.51 million ($2M savings)
This was another ill-advised move by the Carolina Panthers in free agency. One that came with plenty of questions at the time.
Cam Erving was clearly a top priority for the Panthers, for some unbeknown reason. The former first-round pick has struggled throughout his pro career with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys, so just what Carolina saw in the left tackle is anybody’s guess.
Erving is a big talker during the week. But that counts for nothing if a player cannot get it done when it matters most on Sundays.
Much like the situation with Pat Elflein, handing Erving a two-year deal that appeared way above his market value was bizarre. Something the Panthers will probably be paying for without him on the team unless things improve.
Releasing Erving with one year remaining on his contract comes with a $4.51 million dead-cap figure. Combine this with Elflein’s if Carolina does part company with both and that’s just north of $9 million that could be better spent elsewhere.
Sticking with Erving as a starter shouldn’t be an option. Yet another error on the offensive line that’s been craving a franchise blindside protector ever since Jordan Gross retired.
Juston Burris – Carolina Panthers S
- 2022 free agent
The Carolina Panthers have a lot of mouths to feed regarding contract extensions next year. This bears more significance on the defensive side of things, with the likes of Haason Reddick, Jermaine Carter, Stephon Gilmore, DaQuon Jones, and Donte Jackson all searching for new deals.
That could leave someone like Juston Burris on the outside looking in. Although much will depend on how much money the safety is demanding when it’s time to begin any potential negotiations.
Burris actually began the season in some fantastic form alongside Jeremy Chinn on the backend. Unfortunately for the player and the Panthers, a troubling groin injury has kept him off the field for a number of weeks and he was unable to suit up at the Atlanta Falcons after his recovery didn’t progress as expected.
Hopefully, Burris can return at the earliest possible opportunity. Sean Chandler and Sam Franklin are serviceable backups at the position, but something’s been amiss since the former North Carolina State product went down.
This is a precarious situation that needs to be handled carefully where the Panthers are concerned. It’ll be difficult to keep everybody despite the salary-cap soaring in 2022, so if it’s a choice between Burris and someone like Gilmore, it won’t be a difficult one to make.
What’s important for the Panthers is a potential starting replacement is found in free agency or the draft to ensure no momentum is lost.