Which Carolina Panthers players haven’t done enough to deserve another season with the team in 2023?
Some big changes have already occurred across the Carolina Panthers – both within the coaching staff and front office. This has provided more optimism than at any stage during the Matt Rhule era.
However, it’s just the start. The onus is on general manager Scott Fitterer to come to the fore and mold a roster capable of challenging for the NFC South and a potential postseason berth in 2023.
This will come in two phases. By attracting free agents and selecting talented prospects from the draft, coupled with deciding on the futures of those already on the roster.
With this in mind, here are four Panthers players who don’t deserve another season in 2023.
Player No. 1
Michael Jordan – Carolina Panthers OL
The Carolina Panthers could use improved depth across their offensive line, especially if Brady Christensen and Austin Corbett take longer than anticipated to recover from long-term injuries. However, relying on someone like Michael Jordan to step in is no longer an option.
Jordan just hasn’t done enough since arriving from the Cincinnati Bengals. With a new coaching staff firmly in position, his chances of getting another deal appear extremely slim.
Pat Elflein – Carolina Panthers OL
In fairness to Pat Elflein, his production improved somewhat before a serious injury ruled him out for the entire campaign. This was a blow to the offensive lineman, who performed far better at the center spot than he ever did as a guard with the Carolina Panthers or New York Jets.
Elflein got a three-year deal with a pretty lucrative sum attached at the start of 2021 free agency. A move that seemed strange at the time, and it didn’t take long to figure out that the former Ohio State star and Cameron Erving were never going to reach their billing.
Bradley Bozeman’s introduction into the starting lineup came with an immediate upgrade in production and leadership. Something that’s led to deafening calls from the fanbase to give him a long-term extension, which would prevent the player from leaving in free agency.
Much will depend on whether terms can be reached with Bozeman. But factoring everything into the equation, those in power would be running a pretty big risk by bringing Elflein back based on his overall consistency since joining the Panthers.
Releasing Elflein with one year remaining on his deal saves the Panthers around $4.26 million and comes with $2.8 million in dead money. Not a huge sum, but enough to make cutting ties a realistic possibility.
Damien Wilson – Carolina Panthers LB
When the Carolina Panthers lost the services of Luke Kuechly to a shock retirement after the 2019 campaign, it left a gaping hole on and off the field. One that has yet to be replaced after a series of failed acquisitions that couldn’t lace the perennial All-Pro’s cleats.
The latest of these was Damien Wilson – a former Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs that attained more than 100 tackles in 2021. Unfortunately, this was unable to transition into a different environment.
Wilson struggled to fit in and lacked the consistency needed right out of the gate. This was often exploited by opposing defenses and once Matt Rhule left the franchise, it didn’t take long for Steve Wilks to shift him to the fringes.
With one year remaining on his deal and a new coaching staff on board, Wilson simply didn’t do enough to see out his contract.
That might sound harsh, but the NFL is a business. And general manager Scott Fitterer needs every available cent to make the moves needed to strengthen this team’s short and long-term aspirations.
Cutting Wilson represents a cap saving of $3.61 million and $1.07 million in dead money. Couple this with the promise of reinforcements and the development of Brandon Smith, it should be an easy decision for the Panthers to make.
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
Sam Darnold demonstrated growth last season when he finally got the starting gig back. But when it was time for the Carolina Panthers to put all their chips into the middle, he came up short once again.
Steve Wilks and Ben McAdoo did a good job of insulating Darnold behind a strong rushing attack. The Panthers also had an offensive line that became one of the league’s most-improved units in 2022.
This played to the former No. 3 overall selection’s strengths. But he couldn’t reach the required standard when needed most in Week 17 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is another example of a team only going so far with Darnold under center.
Frank Reich won’t want anything jeopardizing his ability to generate early momentum. With the one-time USC stud out of contract, they’ll never get a better chance for a fresh start and finally draft their quarterback of choice.
The Panthers need a veteran bridge or mentor depending on which college prospect comes into the fold. However, looking at Darnold’s full body of work from his time in Carolina and throughout the player’s NFL career, it would be a shock to see an extension come his way before free agency.