NFL free agents in 2024 will include 21 Panthers players, including DJ Chark and Brian Burns.
The Carolina Panthers’ dreadful 2023 season came to a close Sunday. Hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium for the regular-season finale, the Panthers finished up a brutal run — which featured the mid-season firing of Frank Reich — with a 9-0 loss, the team’s second shutout defeat in as many weeks. The offseason couldn’t come soon enough for Carolina (2-15). But now there will be a frenzy of activity this offseason. With a coaching search on the horizon — for the second time in 12 months — the Panthers will again have some major decisions to make at the top of the organization. And once a new brain trust is established, the team will need to figure out which players it wants to retain entering next season.
Here is a look at the pending 21 unrestricted, three restricted and three exclusive-rights free agents on the Panthers’ roster:
Unrestricted free agents can negotiate contracts with other clubs throughout the NFL’s legal tampering period and the formal start of free agency in March, barring the application of the franchise tag. OLB Burns, Brian By his Pro Bowl standards, the finest pass rusher for the Panthers had a lacklustre season. In the event that a contract extension cannot be reached by March between the team and his representatives, he will still be the front-runner for the franchise tag. Burns should be compensated appropriately because he is still a top player. But even after the historic transaction that was rejected in 2022, this season could reduce his leverage.
The much-loved Swiss army knife of defence is Luvu. To be fair, the Panthers found themselves with a steal of a deal on his initial contract. But Carolina needs to make good on its promise following consecutive career seasons. Luvu garnered more affection from fans than almost any other player during the Matt Rhule-Reich era.
