The Carolina Panthers will have to make some important choices in 2024. Owner David Tepper is once again searching for a new head coach, hoping to put an early end to this foolish experiment with Frank Reich while the team maintains its status as a national disgrace.
The Panthers need to address a number of critical needs. The new administration should have no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead of them in Carolina, as they are currently giving away the first overall pick to the Chicago Bears and may not have much money to spare if players like Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu get extensions.
A number of players will have left by the time their contracts expire. There will be others who are top prospects for extensions. And for various reasons, some have increased their prospects of landing new deals.
In light of this, the following three Panthers players, who are scheduled to hit free agency in 2024, may surprise everyone by getting re-signed.
Before the season, cutting Yetur Gross-Matos go after his rookie contract expired in 2024 looked inevitable. Although the former second-round pick has fallen short of expectations, he appears to have found some redemption after moving to a 3-4 outside linebacker in Ejiro Evero’s defense.
Though a trip to injured/reserve severely stopped Gross-Matos’ progress, he has shown glimpses of brilliance. After making a successful comeback in Week 13, the Penn State product may receive an unexpected extension.
Even though Gross-Matos won’t ever perform to the levels expected of him after college, if the money is good, he could be a useful rotational player. However, a lot will rely on how his possibilities are viewed by the new head coach and possibly a new general manager.
