There’s a lot more players leaving the Panthers in free agency this year than new ones coming in. The big names that have left include veteran linebacker Thomas Davis, who has signed with the Chargers – and wide receiver Devin Funchess, now with the Colts.
A few other former role players have also jumped ship. Kick returner Kenjon Barner has gone to the Falcons. Meanwhile, special teams ace and backup linebacker David Mayo has signed with the 49ers.
Also, kicker Chandler Catanzaro has returned to the Jets.
Catanzaro filled in for Graham Gano when he was injured late in the 2018 season. He made all five of his field goal attempts and seven of eight extra point tries in four games. Catanzaro had previously kicked for the Jets in the 2017 season. Gano will return to being Carolina’s kicker next year.
As for Mayo, he was pretty much a special teams-only piece. That doesn’t mean he won’t be missed, though. The Panthers also won’t have Ben Jacobs on the field as he’s an assistant coach now. At some point, the team will need to find suitable special teams replacements for both as well as more linebacker depth.
