Carolina Panthers release two key defenders ahead of NFL free agency

NFL’s tampering window is now officially open, and teams across the league are now preparing for the start of free agency, which is set to officially open on Wednesday. Shortly after the tampering window opened, the Carolina Panthers announced that they have released A.J. Bouye and Morgan Fox. Cutting Bouye creates an interesting picture for the Panthers in the secondary.

“The Panthers released cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive end Morgan Fox Monday, saving some more salary cap space before the start of the new league year,” the team announced.

Bouye is a nine-year NFL veteran, and this past season was his first and only with the Panthers. He first entered the league in 2013 with the Houston Texans, spending four years there before heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars for three seasons. Bouye played out the 2020 season with the Denver Broncos before signing with the Panthers last offseason for a two-year, $7 million contract.

In ten games with the Panthers, seven of which were starts, Bouye totaled 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.

Morgan Fox spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams before signing a two-year, $8.1 million deal with the Panthers last offseason. In Carolina, he had 34 tackles, seven quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Cutting Bouye creates questions in the Panthers secondary

Bouye, 30, was the oldest cornerback currently on the Panthers roster. Stephon Gilmore, Donte Jackson, and Rashaan Melvin are all set to become unrestricted free agents. On the Panthers current roster, they have Jaycee Horn, CJ Henderson, Keith Taylor Jr., Stantley Thomas Oliver III, Troy Pride Jr., and Madre Harper.

Horn missed most of his rookie season with an injury, and Henderson was acquired in the middle of the season from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Without a true veteran in the room, the Panthers are very inexperienced at cornerback.

The Panthers still have plenty of time to address the cornerback position. Carolina holds the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft, and there will be plenty of options available once free agency opens.

Now, the Panthers have more cap space, and a top quarterback might be atop their wish list.

The #Panthers have cleared over $24M in cap space via cuts and contract restructures in the past two weeks.

No hiding what they're trying to do: Deshaun Watson is their top target.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 14, 2022