4 veterans the Carolina Panthers were right to move on from in 2022
By Dean Jones
A.J. Bouye – Former Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers released cornerback A.J. Bouye as part of cost-cutting measures before free agency. This was a calculated risk by the organization despite the fact that Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson were free agents, which could have gone either way given the uncertain status surrounding the duo.
Carolina got an extension sorted out with Donte Jackson, thankfully, although nothing new has come to fruition where Gilmore is concerned as yet. Couple this with the impending return of Jaycee Horn to full health after he broke his foot in Week 3 at the Houston Texans, cutting ties with Bouye makes a ton more sense now than it did at the time.
There was nothing wrong with the former Pro Bowler’s production. But the Panthers now feel comfortable in moving forward with Horn, Jackson, C.J. Henderson, and Keith Taylor Jr., which left Bouye surplus to requirements.
Bouye played 60 percent of the team’s defensive snaps when available, giving up 72.1 percent of targets thrown his way. This also includes a 91.0 passer rating when targeted and four missed tackles – 12.4% of his overall output.
Another team hasn’t come knocking for Bouye’s services as yet. But that is likely to change once teams get through the draft process and decide whether their cornerback options are sufficient enough heading into training camp.