4 tough cuts the Carolina Panthers could make before 2022 free agency
By Dean Jones
Pat Elflein – Carolina Panthers OL
- Cap saving – $2.02 million
Cutting Pat Elflein might be seen as an obvious move to some considering how inconsistent the veteran was in 2021. But some encouraging strides in performance once the Carolina Panthers reverted the former third-round pick to the position he starred in college at Ohio State could mean there’s more to come with better quality around him on the interior.
Elflein excelled as a center with the Buckeyes and during his first season with the Minnesota Vikings. Just why they moved him to guard is anybody’s guess, but it’s clear he’s best suited to having the football in his hands at the line of scrimmage.
Obviously, there were some poor moments down the stretch for Elflein. Something that could mean he is reduced to a depth chart piece depending on what reinforcements are brought in by the Panthers in free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft.
Moving forward with Elflein would be a risk. Although the savings only amount to just over $2 million with a dead-cap of $4.64 million, cutting their losses ahead of time with the lineman and Cam Erving is something that could come under consideration.
If it ended up being a choice between the two veterans who were prioritized as Day 1 signings in free agency last year, then it might be worth keeping Elflein and letting Erving go. But there is simply no way of telling for sure right now.