5 early releases that could help the Carolina Panthers in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could use Kyle Van Noy
Although it came as a shock to the NFL world, Kyle Van Noy’s early departure from the New England Patriots is another example of how Bill Belichick does business. The legendary figure is more inclined to get rid of veterans one year too early than late, so the outside linebacker was deemed a necessary sacrifice in pursuit of getting their salary cap down ahead of free agency.
This is something that should be of interest to the Carolina Panthers. Especially if Haason Reddick ends up walking in free agency after general manager Scott Fitterer indicated that he is going to test the market.
Van Noy has proven production and could fill the void seamlessly providing the money works for both parties. The former second-round pick is a two-time Super Bowl champion who has amassed 28.5 sacks and 424 tackles throughout his career, which is valuable experience the Panthers would be missing if Reddick gets a more lucrative offer from elsewhere as expected.
Losing Reddick would obviously be a big blow. He accounted for 11 sacks last season and was clearly the team’s most consistent pass-rusher despite Brian Burns making the Pro Bowl.
Signing Van Noy would soften the blow. But one has to wonder whether he would pick Carolina over a team with a better chance of making the postseason at this stage of his illustrious career.