The Carolina Panthers have made some notable moves to bolster their defense by signing Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd in free agency. However, there's a possibility they might have to make a tough decision to keep their financials in check. Panthers edge rusher Patrick Jones could be on the chopping block as the team looks to manage their salary cap.
Jones, who inked a two-year, $15 million deal with the Panthers following an impressive seven-sack season with the Minnesota Vikings, faced challenges last year. Limited to just four games due to injury, he couldn't contribute during the Panthers' playoff run. With only $4.2 million in cap space heading into the draft, releasing Jones could free up $4.8 million, giving Carolina more flexibility.
This situation could catch the attention of several teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers are in a bind after trading Rashan Gary to the Cowboys and facing uncertainty with Micah Parsons' recovery from a torn ACL.
The Cowboys, despite acquiring Gary, still need depth, especially after his inconsistent performance last season. Meanwhile, the Eagles, who lost Phillips to the Panthers, have yet to make significant additions to their edge rush.
While Jones may not be a guaranteed game-changer for these teams, the market is thin, and his availability could offer a cost-effective solution. Teams looking for an edge rusher might find a bargain in Jones, especially if they're willing to bet on his potential bounce-back from a tough season.