Which Carolina Panthers players are unlikely to be back in 2024 following one of the worst seasons in franchise history?
The Carolina Panthers are winding down a season littered with embarrassment, controversy, poor performances, and everything in between. Bold predictions about winning the NFC South and making some noise in the postseason were ill-advised. This team was nowhere near ready to compete, and that's being generous.
Just one contest remains before attention turns to another dramatic offseason. Fans have been in this mode for weeks. That's what happens when you follow a two-win team with an egotistical man-child for an owner.
A new head coach is needed. More roles could become vacant in the not-too-distant future. Once the new hires come into the fold, the playing side of things becomes the top priority.
Looking at how things stand currently, there's a lot of hard work ahead. On this topic, here are six Panthers players who won't be back in 2024.
Kamu Grugier-Hill - Carolina Panthers LB
Considering the modest expectations of Kamu Grugier-Hill when he came to the Carolina Panthers, he's been one of the pleasant surprises. The linebacker's been a solid presence on the defensive rotation - featuring in 39 percent of snaps. Whether that's enough to earn another new deal with the organization is another matter.
The Panthers must make extending Frankie Luvu their top priority in the linebacking corps. With Shaq Thompson also expected to return from injury in time for the 2024 season, the new regime might look towards the draft for a cheaper, more promising rotational option than Grugier-Hill when push comes to shove.
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Marquis Haynes Sr. - Carolina Panthers OLB
Hopes were high surrounding Marquis Haynes Sr. this season. The edge rusher had a supreme opportunity in front of him. With a strong offseason under his belt, all signs pointed to the player becoming the Carolina Panthers' starting outside linebacker opposite Brian Burns.
Then, disaster struck.
Haynes suffered a back injury that placed him on injured reserve before the campaign. The former fourth-round selection out of Ole Miss missed the first eight games thanks to a significant complication. Even when on the field thereafter, it's clear the issue was still bothering him.
An extremely concerning occurrence transpired with Haynes in Week 17 at the Jacksonville Jaguars. The player lay motionless following a collision for several minutes that resulted in him being carted off. Thankfully, everything checked out positively following a hospital visit, but he'll miss Carolina's regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to conclude a frustrating year.
What the future holds between Haynes and the Panthers has yet to be determined. There could be some value to handing the veteran a short-term extension under a different regime. The new decision-makers could easily go the other way and deem him surplus to requirements.
If the choice ends up being between Haynes and the resurgent Yetur Gross-Matos, it's an easy one to make.
Jeremy Chinn - Carolina Panthers LB/S
Sadly, this could be the most obvious of all.
Jeremy Chinn looked like the next great Carolina Panthers linebacker as a rookie. His athleticism, instinctive style of play, and explosive nature to be around the football consistently took the league by storm. Instead of keeping the former second-round pick at the same spot, those in power opted to switch him back to his college position. That's where the regression began.
Chinn just didn't look like the same player. His deficiencies in coverage were exposed. He still made his presence felt from a tackling standpoint, but it wasn't nearly as influential.
And yet, there was renewed hope surrounding Chinn following the appointment of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. The progressive mind and future head coach made his intent known for the dynamic playmaker. He was a core part of his plans and was going to be put in the best possible positions to thrive.
Unfortunately, it didn't pan out that way. Chinn's seen his snap count drop significantly to 39 percent. A potential trade before the deadline didn't come off thanks to injury. When his contract expires in the coming weeks, expect the Southern Illinois product to examine options on the open market for a fresh start.
Nobody would have envisaged this scenario coming to fruition after his first season with the Panthers. Don't be surprised if Chinn becomes the latest in a long line of departed players to shine in a different environment.
C.J. Henderson - Carolina Panthers CB
Things looked quite promising for C.J. Henderson once upon a time this season. The cornerback looked more assured in coverage than ever before. He was taking advantage of more playing time in the wake of Jaycee Horn's injury. After a turbulent start to his NFL career, the former first-round pick seemed to have newfound confidence under enhanced coaching.
Then, the wheels came off.
Henderson reverted to the suspect performer of old over the second half of 2023. He was targeted heavily by opposing offenses. He gave up big plays frequently. This was enough for the Carolina Panthers to make him a healthy scratch over the last two contests.
This fall from grace is a far cry from the big plans Carolina had for Henderson after securing his services via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars. They felt a change of scenery could be enough for the defensive back to reach his undoubted potential. As has been the case with most of Scott Fitterer's trades, it turned out to be a grave error in judgment.
It would be a jaw-dropping surprise if Henderson was given an extension by the Panthers this offseason. He hasn't done enough to justify being kept around with a new coaching regime imminent. But the much-maligned player could get one more chance to prove his worth elsewhere in the second or third wave of free agency.
Laviska Shenault Jr. - Carolina Panthers WR
Another trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars saw the Carolina Panthers acquire a potential reclamation project in Laviska Shenault Jr. Things hadn't gone according to plan for the former second-round selection in the Florida sunshine. Those in power felt they had the tools to galvanize his failing career with a fresh start.
Shenault has flashed moments of promise. His route-running is a major flaw, but the wide receiver can make things happen with the football in his hands more often than not.
Sadly, these moments of outstanding productivity have been fleeting. Perhaps the Panthers could've been more creative in their usage of Shenault. We might never know with the player's injury keeping him out since their loss at the Tennessee Titans.
The one-time Colorado star still has time on his side at 25 years old. Looking at his full body of work since joining the Panthers, it's unlikely to warrant an extension when a new regime comes into the building with no emotional attachment whatsoever.
This is yet another swing and a miss in the trade market for general manager Scott Fitterer. His 'in on every deal' mindset has failed to bear fruit. When the time comes for a final assessment of his performance in the days ahead, he could be another on his way out.
Terrace Marshall Jr. - Carolina Panthers WR
I was going to keep this list primarily to those out-of-contact players who won't return. But the prospect of wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. being cut ahead of time is almost a foregone conclusion.
Marshall is an underachieving player lacking the commitment or consistency needed to carve out even a rotational role for himself. Considering how much the Carolina Panthers have struggled offensively this season, it's a damning indictment of his attitude and confidence in his ability to produce the goods.
Despite Marshall having plenty of intriguing physical attributes and starring in almost every training camp, it hasn't transitioned effectively to a game-day setting. If the LSU product was hoping for floods of offers to emerge when a trade request was granted before the deadline, he was sorely mistaken.
The Panthers stated Marshall would be welcomed back with open arms in the event he couldn't secure a move away. He's been a healthy scratch for weeks. The last time he saw any on-field action was during Carolina's loss at the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football.
There are no financial implications to releasing Marshall at some stage during the offseason. It's a sad end to what could have been a promising career in Carolina. As it turned out, he'll be added to the long list of draft busts chosen by the organization in recent years.