The Panthers defensive line is going to look dramatically different this year compared to last. Already, the team has declined to pick up the option for nose tackle Dontari Poe, making him a free agent. Defensive end Mario Addison has also agreed to a deal with the Bills.
Two more interior Carolina linemen are also on their way out.
According to Todd Archer at ESPN, Gerald McCoy is signing a three-year deal with the Cowboys.
McCoy is 32 years old, but he’s coming off a strong season and should be a contributor for Dallas at least a while longer.
In related news, 2016 first-round pick Vernon Butler is signing a two-year, $16 million deal with the Bills, according to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network.
Butler never really lived up to his first-round pick status, but he did play well when injuries hit the defensive line hard this year.
Replacing all of these DL in one offseason is going to be extremely difficult. The Panthers will have to look to both free agency and the draft in order to fill their holes up front.
On the bright side, they were spending more money at DT than any other team in the league last year by a wide margin. Losing these guys will make it easier to field a more balanced roster.
