5 Carolina Panthers players who will be grossly overpaid in 2022
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players will be grossly overpaid by the team if they are still around during the 2022 season?
Money makes the world go round and that phrase rings true in the NFL. After a difficult financial climate before the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 salary-cap reduction, things look far more promising right now with financial resources soaring to $208.2 million, which should see a frenzied period of activity over the next few months.
The Carolina Panthers have around $24 million in cap space currently. Although this could increase providing the necessary sacrifices are made and restructures agreed before free agency.
This is a hugely important offseason for the team after David Tepper clearly agreed to give head coach Matt Rhule one more chance to turn his current predicament around. There is no more leeway when it comes to recruitment and those still on the roster also need to make the improvements needed in pursuit of heightening their influence.
Without further ado, here are five Panthers players who are grossly overpaid in 2022.
Player No. 1
Matt Paradis – Carolina Panthers C
- 2022 cap number: $8.29 million (dead cap)
The fact Matt Paradis finds himself on this list despite not being technically under contract is a damning indictment of the contract given to him by the Carolina Panthers in the first place. The eye-catching free-agent signing from the Denver Broncos didn’t reach the expectations required, although one could put that down to the distinct lack of continuity and talent surrounding the center throughout his time with the organization.
Paradis tore his ACL in Week 9 against the New England Patriots, so the chances of him getting a new deal from the Panthers are remote. However, a recent contract restructure ensures he’ll be paid $8.29 million in 2022 and north of $4 million in 2023 even if he’s on another team.
This signing didn’t really pay off. And the Panthers will be counting the cost for a while yet.