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5 Panthers players who could be shocking cuts under new regime in 2023

By Cameron Hodges

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Laviska Shenault Jr.
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Laviska Shenault Jr. /
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Carolina Panthers
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) Zane Gonzalez /

Zane Gonzalez – Carolina Panthers K

  • 2023 cap saving – $1.81 million
  • 2021 season stats (IR in 2022): 20/22 field goals, 22/23 extra points, 35/55 touchbacks.

Following terrible kicking woes since the departure of Graham Gano, the Carolina Panthers seemed to have found a stable option in Zane Gonzalez. The journeyman was also in need of a home after spending time with both the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals over his first four years as a pro.

The one-time Arizona State Sun Devil posted career highs in field goal percentage and touchback percentage in 2021. Gonzalez was near automatic for the Panthers, missing only two field goal attempts and one extra point all season.

Unfortunately, Gonzalez found himself on injured/reserve for the entirety of his 2022 campaign, leading to the Panthers signing Eddy Pineiro, who hasn’t missed a kick since the overtime thriller against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8.

In fact, all but one of Pineiro’s missed field goal attempts and extra point tried on the season have come in the two games against the Falcons.

With cap savings of $1.8 million, a full season removed from a full bill of health, and Pineiro’s efficiency, Gonzalez may be looking for a new team in 2023. That might sound a little harsh, but the NFL is a ruthless business with no room whatsoever for any sentiment.

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