5 former Carolina Panthers players who’ll be missed most in 2022
By Dean Jones
Which former Carolina Panthers players who departed the organization this offseason will be missed more than most in 2022?
As is normally the case during any NFL offseason, there have been plenty of comings and goings within the Carolina Panthers in 2022 so far. Players were acquired in free agency, some established figures moved on or are still searching for new homes, and coaching personnel also has a much different look after Matt Rhule gutted his staff ahead of a critical Year 3 under his leadership.
It’s been an encouraging start for the Panthers, even if there are some holes still to fill during free agency, the trade market, or throughout the 2022 NFL Draft depending on how the board plays out. What comes next over the next few weeks has the potential to shape Carolina’s season next time around and if they hit some home runs, it will do their chances the world of good.
Their schedule doesn’t look as difficult now as it did once upon a time following an unprecedented period of player movement across the league. But one suspects everything has to go right for the Panthers with Tom Brady still in the NFC South following the briefest of retirements.
Without further ado, here are five former Panthers players who’ll be missed most when competitive action begins in 2022.
Former Player No. 1
Morgan Fox – Former Carolina Panthers DL
Although releasing Morgan Fox was part of the team’s cost-cutting measures, the Carolina Panthers are relatively devoid of any experience on their defensive front outside of Brian Burns and Matt Ioannidis, who was acquired soon after his early departure from the Washington Commanders.
Fox was a solid if not spectacular performer during his one and only season in Carolina. He started off impressively before performances dipped slightly and those in power clearly felt that the saving involved justified removing the versatile defensive lineman from the equation.
Much will depend on who comes in between now and training camp. But Fox’s presence on the depth chart could be missed if younger players on the Panthers don’t take the right leap forward.