5 former Carolina Panthers still looking for work before 2022 camp
By Dean Jones
Star Lotulelei – Former Carolina Panthers DT
After leaving the Carolina Panthers following the 2017 season, Star Lotulelei is once again looking for alternative employment following his surprise release from the Buffalo Bills. The defensive tackle was a stout force on the interior for the Super Bowl challengers, who boast a number of former players and front office figures propelling them to heights not seen since the 1990s.
Lotulelei had some trouble staying healthy last season en route to 11 appearances – eight of which he started. Buffalo clearly felt it was worth going in a different direction and the former first-round pick is still waiting for the phone to ring from another willing suitor.
In an ideal world, the Panthers could use someone like Lotulelei. A veteran presence to bolster depth at a crucial time for third-year-pro Derrick Brown.
With 16.5 sacks, 194 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, and 30 quarterback hits throughout his career, it would be a shock if Lotulelei wasn’t on an NFL roster by the time Week 1 rolls around. The Utah product could also be biding his time to potentially land on a contender.
Lotulelei is in a better position than most free agents on the market. He is also an experienced figure that knows how to prepare his body for the rigors of an NFL campaign while the lineman waits for another chance.