4 players who came out of nowhere for the Carolina Panthers in 2021
By Dean Jones
Zane Gonzalez – Carolina Panthers K
It’s easy to forget that things looked bleak at the kicking position once upon a time for the Carolina Panthers. The team’s faith in Joey Slye during training camp – where he had no real competition – didn’t pay off and their trade for Ryan Santoso was a non-starter after he lasted just one game.
Carolina then turned to Zane Gonzalez, who failed to win a job when he was brought in for a tryout in mandatory minicamp. Hopes weren’t exactly high after an inconsistent first outing, but what came after was nothing short of astonishing.
Gonzalez has been lights out throughout the campaign. He is a two-time NFC Special Teams Player of the Week winner en route to becoming the stable presence that was sorely lacking with Slye and Santoso at the kicking position.
To say this was the best-case scenario for Carolina would be the biggest of understatements. Gonzalez has turned an area of weakness into real strength and if he continues this promising trend over the next five games, then the ex-Arizona Cardinal is guaranteed an extension next spring.
Gonzalez boasts a 90.9 percent field goal success rate that includes 10 from 10 between 40-49 yards out and his only two misses coming from beyond the 50-yard line. Simply put, he’s been one of Carolina’s brightest stars, and long may it continue.