The Carolina Panthers are overhauling their linebacker corps for 2019. The team has already informed 14-year veteran Thomas Davis that he will not return for next season. Now, they’re releasing another long-time linebacker.
According to a report by Field Yates at ESPN, Carolina has cut linebacker/special teams ace Ben Jacobs. He was set to become a free agent in a few weeks, anyway. Jacobs had been with the Panthers since the 2014 season. While he did not see any starts and didn’t get much playing time on defense, Jacobs was a core contributor on special teams. This past year, Jacobs played 281 special teams snaps – 67.2 percent of the team’s total.
This move doesn’t benefit the Panthers – it does let Jacobs get a jump-start finding a new home in the NFL, though – similar to the solid they did for C.J. Anderson in the middle of the season. Anderson eventually signed with the Rams and was a major piece during their run to the Super Bowl.
Wherever Jacobs winds up (Buffalo), that team will be getting a solid depth linebacker and special teams piece.
