5 Carolina Panthers players who likely played their final game with the team
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players likely played their final game with the team during a rocky 2022 season?
Things didn’t go quite according to plan for the Carolina Panthers in 2022. A terrible start ended Matt Rhule’s time as head coach halfway through his bumper contract, with interim Steve Wilks doing a sensational job in difficult circumstances en route to restoring a sense of respectability.
The Panthers fell short of a shock divisional title within a weak NFC South. However, the optimism for further progress next season is there for all to see if the right moves are made this offseason.
Carolina’s coaching search is ongoing with the list of potential candidates decreasing this week. General manager Scott Fitterer and others will also be examining which recruits to bring in and what players are worth keeping around before free agency.
With that being said, here are five Panthers players who likely played their final game with the team in 2022.
Player No. 1
Damien Wilson – Carolina Panthers LB
There was a quiet sense of optimism surrounding Damien Wilson’s arrival in free agency. This diminished somewhat following an offseason arrest, but the Carolina Panthers kept faith with the veteran when many anticipated an early departure without playing a single snap.
Wilson’s production wasn’t up to the required standard. Had it not been for an injury to rookie linebacker Brandon Smith, the former Super Bowl winner’s second half of 2022 would have been almost anonymous.
Considering the cap savings involved by releasing Wilson with one year remaining on his deal, this looks like an easy decision for those in power.