7 Panthers players that could be traded if slump continues in 2022
By Dean Jones
Yetur Gross-Matos – Carolina Panthers DE
After opting to let Haason Reddick walk in free agency despite gaining 11 sacks in 2022, the Carolina Panthers were counting on Yetur Gross-Matos to make the necessary improvements in order to thrive from a starting role. Something the former second-round pick has yet to accomplish through four weeks.
Gross-Matos has struggled to impose himself opposite Brian Burns as yet. This is especially disappointing when one considers how much havoc Derrick Brown and Matt Ioannidis are creating on the defensive line interior.
With no sacks, one quarterback hit, no tackles for loss, and just one pressure, Gross-Matos might not ever live up to what fans and the Panthers thought he might become. There is still time to turn things around, but it’s not looking good right now.
The Penn State product is in the penultimate year of his rookie contract, so if Gross-Matos cannot rise to what appears to be a significant challenge in the coming weeks, those in power could cut their losses and attempt to get something in return.
This would be a body blow for all parties. But at the end of the day, Gross-Matos simply isn’t pulling his weight and Carolina’s decision to let Reddick leave is coming back to haunt them.