4 grossly overpaid Carolina Panthers players on current 2023 salary cap
By Dean Jones
Ian Thomas – Carolina Panthers TE
- 2023 salary-cap number: $6.73 million
There is now enough of a sample size to know what Ian Thomas is. Just what that is was determined once and for all during the 2022 season.
The Carolina Panthers benefitted from some exceptional blocking where Thomas is concerned. One could even make a strong case for the former fourth-round pick being among the league’s best blocking tight ends currently.
However, there is something missing in the passing game despite Thomas’ physical attributes.
Whether it’s the scheme or the player simply not getting open frequently, Carolina cannot rely on Thomas to produce consistent numbers catching the football. Something the team’s lacked tremendously at the tight-end spot since Greg Olsen was allowed to leave in 2020 free agency.
The Panthers would be wise to bring in another pass-catching tight end. This could relegate Thomas to blocking responsibilities and perhaps shift Tommy Tremble to a full-back role along the way.
If this scenario comes to fruition under a new head coach, Thomas looks overpaid. Blocking tight ends don’t normally command anything like $6.73 million against the cap, although cutting ties entirely is not an option, either.