4 Carolina Panthers entering the 2023 offseason on a short leash

Ian Thomas – Carolina Panthers TE

Ian Thomas has been in the league for five years and his best season remains as a rookie. This was the only campaign he managed more than 200 receiving yards.

Thomas does many things well but isn’t the reliable pass catcher the Carolina Panthers need at the position. The former fourth-round pick finished the year with 197 receiving yards starting every game and is entering the 2023 season as the ninth-largest scheduled cap hit.

Paying Thomas was clearly a mistake. One that is going to be hard to escape for at least another year.

Cutting Thomas this season saves only $1 million. Moving him next spring comes with $6 million in extra financial resources.

Is Thomas more valuable to the team than $1 million in open cap space? There shouldn’t be any question Carolina needs to add talent to the position but he could stay in the rotation based on his blocking ability.

The Indiana product is a primary cut candidate in 2024 if the tight end cannot become the complete package under Frank Reich. The only thing stopping Thomas from becoming a cap casualty will be a huge 2023 season – something that seems increasingly unlikely with such a big sample size now in the books.